330 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
their sight, the slightest movement of any unfortunate mouse 
near them attracts their attention, and, sailing down from their 
post, they pounce upon their victim. They feed upon small 
birds and quadrupeds, or even large insects. They are unso- 
cial, and generally lead a solitary life, though Wilson speaks 
of seven being found in one tree. 
(d). I have never heard them utter any notes, and they are 
probably silent except during the season of love. Audubon, 
however, says: ‘* When encamped in the woods, I have fre- 
quently heard the notes of this bird at night. Its ery is pro- 
longed and plaintive, though consisting of not more than two 
or three notes repeated at intervals.” 
(B) sBracuyotus. Short-eared Owl. Marsh Owl. 
(A resident of Massachusetts, most abundant near the sea.) 
(a). About fifteen inches long. Ear-tufts inconspicuous. 
. General colors, dark brown, and fulvous. whitening beneath 
(on. the belly, wings, etc.). Chiefly streaked, but on the tail, 
primaries, etc., barred (and slightly mottled). yes completely 
encircled by black. 
(bo). The nest is a rather slovenly structure, built on the 
ground, most often in rather wet places. The eggs of each set 
are usually four, averaging about 1:50X 1°30 of an inch. They 
are white, and somewhat spherical. Several, taken from two 
nests not far from Boston, had apparently been laid about the 
middle of April. « 
(c). The Short-eared Owls are much less common than some 
other species, though resident in Massachusetts throughout the 
year. They are generally considered more abundant near the 
seashore than elsewhere, and even resort to marshes. They 
usually rest during the day on the ground or near it, and, 
when flushed, fly as if dazed, and soon alight. I have seen 
them abroad, however, on cloudy days. They sometimes occur 
in woods, particularly such as are swampy, but, in hunting, 
they more often fly over meadows or fields, moving their 
wings silently, and often sailing directly forward for a consid- 
erable distance. They also perch to watch for their prey, which 
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