BIRDS OF 



There it sits on a rafter, snoozing away the hours of daylight, 

 occasionally opening its round, yellow, cat-like eyes, and 

 glowering at the farm hands as they move about like shadows 

 below. After dark it is all alive, not a mouse can stir without 

 being observed, and so quick and noiseless is the flight of the 

 bird that few escape which expose themselves. It thus renders 

 good service to the farmer, in consideration of which it is 

 protected by the more intelligent of tliat class, but is persecuted 

 almost to extinction by the ^^ boys.'' 



As will be seen by the description of the markings given 

 above, individuals of this species assume different phases of 

 plumage, and are spoken of as the "red" and "gray." For 

 many years great difference of opinion prevailed on this subject, 

 some believing the red bird to be the male, and vice versa. It 

 is now fully understood that the color is entirely independent of 

 age, sex or season. It is one of those seeming irregularities 

 which we find in nature, and all we can do is to bear witness 

 to the fact without being able to tell the reason of it. 



During the long winter of 1883-4, ^ kept a record of the 

 birds of this species I heard of, in or near Hamilton, and the 

 total number reached 40. In 1884-5 they were less common, 

 and during 1885-6 I am not aware of a single individual being 

 observed. 



Genus BUBO Cuvier. 



155. BUBO VIRGINIANUS (Gmel.). 375. 



Great Homed Owl. 



Distinguished by its large size, in connection with the conspicuous ear 

 tufts ; the other species of similar dimensions are tuftless. The plumage 

 varies interminably, and no concise description will meet all its phases ; it is 

 a variegation of blackish, with dark and light-brown, and fulvous. A white 

 collar is the most constant color mark. I.ength. about 2 feet ; wing, 14-16 

 inches ; tail, 9-10. 



Hab. Eastern North America, west to the Mississippi Valley, and fiom 

 Labrador south to Costa Rica. 



Nest, if any, in a hollow tree, or cleft of a rock. 



Eggs, 2 ; round, white, 



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