72 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



1862 as late as the last of May, and, in Mr. Boardraan's opinion, were 

 breeding in tliat neighborhood. In the western part of Maine Mr. Verrill 

 found it also rather rare, and met with it only in winter He states that it 

 differs greatly in disposition from the Great Horned Owl, being naturally 

 very gentle, and becoming very readily (piite tame in confinement, differing 

 very much in this respect from most large Rcqotores. 



It makes its appearance in Massacliusetts about the middle or last of 

 November, and in some seasons is quite common, though never present in 

 very large numbers. It is bold, f)ut rather wary ; coming into thick groves 

 of trees in close proximity to cities, which indeed it frequently enters, but 

 keeping a sharp lookout, and never suffering a near approach. It hunts by 

 daylight, and appears to distinguish objects without difficulty. Its flight 

 is noiseless, graceful, easy, and at times quite rapid. In some seasons it 

 appears to wander over the whole of the United States east of the Rocky 

 Mountains, Dr. Heermann having obtained a specimen of it near San An- 

 tonio, Texas, in the winter of 1857. 



It is more abundant, in winter, near the coast, than in the interior, and in 

 the latter keeps in the neighborliood of rivers and streams, watching by the 

 open places for opportunities to catch fish. Mr. Audubon describes it as 

 very expert and cunning in fishing, crouching on the edges of air-holes in 

 the ice, and instantly seizing any fish that may come to the surface. It also 

 feeds on hares, sc[uirrels, rats, and other small animals. It watches the traps 

 set for animals, especially muskrats, and devours them when caught. In the 

 stomach of one Mr. Audubon found the wliole of a large house-rat. Its 

 own flesh, Mr. Andubon affirms, is fine and delicate, and furnishes ^^ery 

 good eating. It is described as a very silent bird, and Mr. Audubon has 

 never known it to utter a note or to make any sound." 



Richardson states tliat a few remain in the Arctic regions even in mid- 

 winter, but usually in the more slieltered districts, wliither it has followed 

 the Ptarmigan, on which it feeds. Wlien seen on the Barren Grounds, it was 

 generally squatting on the earth, and, if disturbed, alighted again after a 

 short fliglit. In the more wooded districts it is said to be bolder, and is 

 even known to watch the Grouse-shooters, and to share in tlieir spoils, 

 skimming from its perch on a high tree, and carrying off the bird before 

 the sportsman can get near it. 



Mr. MacFarlane writes from Fort Anderson that he did not find this spe- 

 cies abundant in that quarter, and that its eggs were unknown to him. Mr. 

 B. R. Ross speaks of this Owl as widely distributed, but not common. He 

 found it a winter resident, and has repeatedly seen it at that season near 

 Fort Resolution, and it has been shot in February at Fort Norman. It is 

 very destructive to the snares set by the Indians, eating the hares and 

 breaking the snares, in which they are sometimes caught. The Indians are 

 said to attract these birds near enough to be shot at, by tying a mouse or a 

 piece of hare's skin to a line, and letting it drag behind them. 



