THE aREAT HORNED OWL. 43 



or mysterious, or more than that of a simple bird of prey, 

 formed for feeding by night, like many other animals, and of 

 -eposing by day. The harsnness of its voice, occasioned by 

 the width and capacity of its throat, may be intended by 

 Heaven as an alarm and warning to the birds and animals 

 on which it preys, to secure themselves from danger. The 

 voices of all carnivorous birds and animals are also observed 

 to be harsh and hideous, probably for this very purpose. 



The Great Horned Owl is not migratory, but remains 

 with us the whole year. During the day he slumbers in 

 the thick evergreens of deep swamps, or seeks shelter in 

 large hollow trees. He is very rarely seen abroad by day, 

 and never but when disturbed. In the month of May they 

 usually begin to build. The nest is generally placed in the 

 fork of a tall tree, and is constructed of sticks piled in con- 

 siderable quantities, lined with dry leaves and a few feathers. 

 Sometimes they choose a hollow tree ; and, in that case, 

 carry in but few materials. The female lays four eggs, 

 nearly as large as those of a hen, almost globular, and of 

 a pure white. In one of these nests, after the young had 

 flown, were found the heads and bones oftwo chickens, the 

 legs and head of the golden-winged woodpecker, and part 

 of the wings and feathers of several other birds. It is 

 generally conjectured that they hatch but once in the 

 leason. 



According to all authorities. Owls have been regarded m 

 objects of superstition ; and this has sometimes been taken 



