BIRDS OF PREY. 43 
jt a rather difficult matter to effect its capture without 
receiving a wound, and all the time fixing its large eyes 
upon him with a strange weird-like intelligence, but 
with no appearance of ferocity. I could not help being 
struck by its expression, as though it was animated by 
a feeling more akin to reason than instinct, and my 
heart ached for the poor bird thus struck down so use- 
lessly. 
With regard to the note of the white owl, I venture 
with diffidence to express an opinion which I am aware 
is contrary to that of most who have written of it; at 
the same time it is no theoretical fancy, but the result 
of close and continuous observation. It is generally 
stated that this species seldom hoots. Montagu boldly 
says, “it is never known to hoot;’ Macgillivray, that 
“it has no other note than ashriek ;” and Mr. Waterton, 
that “the tawny owl is the only owl which hoots.” 
Similar assertions might so easily be multiplied that it 
seems almost like temerity to assert the contrary. “A 
desire to elucidate the truth, however, compels me to 
do this, and I am glad to be supported by so high an 
authority as Sir W. Jardine, who, in a note to a late 
edition of White’s Selborne, says that the white owl 
does hoot, for he has shot it in the act—and more, that 
at night, when not alarmed, hooting is its general cry, 
This I can confirm most uuhesitatingly, for I have heard 
it repeatedly and continuously do so, and, on the very 
account of the alleged infrequency, have taken particular 
pains to verify the fact. I have been familiar with both 
species from boyhood, and have roamed through our 
forest at all times of the evening, and it was always the 
tawny owl which we designated as the “screech owl,” 
while the well-known “hoo-hoo-hoo-hooo” was almost 
