STRIGID.E — THE OWLS. 67 



Fort Eesolution. Its food consisted of shrews and Arvicolce, which are 

 very abundant there. It is very tame and easily approached, and the 

 Chipewyan Indians are said to eat with great relish the tlesh, which is 

 generally fat. 



Mr. Gunn writes that this Owl is found over all the woody regions of the 

 Hudson Bay Territory. In the summer it visits the shores of the bay, 

 but retires to some distance inland on the approach of winter. It liunts 

 in the dark, preying on rabbits, mice, muskrats, partridges, and any other 

 fowls that it can find. With its bill it breaks the bones of hares into small 

 pieces, which its stomach is able to digest. They pair in March, the only 

 time at which they seem to enjoy each other's society. The nest is usually 

 made of twigs in the fork of some large poplar, wliere the female lays from 

 three to six pale-white eggs. It is easily approached in clear sunny weather, 

 but sees very well when the sky is clouded. It is not mentioned by Mr. 

 MacFarlaue as found near Anderson Kiver. Mr. Dall caught alive several 

 young birds not fully fledged, June 18, on the Yukon Eiver, below the fort. 

 He also met with it at Nulato, where it was not common, but was more 

 plentiful farther up the river. 



Mr. Salvin found this species in August at Duenas and at San Geronimo, 

 in Guatemala. At Duenas it was said to be resident, and is so probably 

 throughout the whole country. It was not uncommon, and its favorite 

 locality was one of the hillsides near that village, well covered with low 

 trees and shrubs, and with here and there a rocky precipice. They were 

 frequently to be met with on afternoons, and at all hours of the night they 

 made their proximity known by their deep cry. 



Dr. Kennerly found it in Texas in the caiion of Devil River, and he adds 

 that it seemed to live indifferently among the trees and the high and pre- 

 cipitous cliffs. It was found throughout Texas and ISTew Mexico, wherever 

 there are either large trees or deep canons that afforded a hiding-place during 

 the day. Attracted by the camp-fires of Dr. Kennerly's party, this Owl 

 would occasionally sweep around their heads for a while, and then disap- 

 pear in the darkness, to resume its dismal notes. Sometimes, frightened 

 Ijy the reverberating report of a gun, they would creep among the rocks, 

 attempting to conceal themselves, and be thus taken alive. 



Though frequently kept in captivity, the Great Horned Owl, even when 

 taken young, is fierce and untamable, resenting all attempts at famili- 

 arity. It has no affection for its mate, this being especially true of the 

 female. Mr. Downes mentions an instance within his knowledge, in 

 which a female of this species, in confinement, killed and ate the male. 

 Excepting during the brief period of mating, they are never seen in 

 pairs. 



Its flight is rapid and graceful, and more like that of an eagle than one of 

 this family. It sails easily and in large circles. It is nocturnal in its habits, 

 and is very rarely seen abroad in the day, and then only in cloudy weather 



