332 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
to leave his perch until the tree was rapped violently, upon 
which he started with a few silent flaps and then sailed away. 
Owing to his great size, and his wings spread to their full ex- 
tent, he presented a formidable appearance. He did not seem 
to experience difficulty in finding his way among the trees. 
The Great Gray Owls, according to Mr. Dall’s observations, 
*‘feed principally upon small birds, and he took no less than 
thirteen crania and other remains of giothus linaria [or 
Lesser Red-poll] from the crop of a single bird.” 
(d). Their notes have been described as tremulous, and not 
unlike those of the Screech Owl. 
(B) nesuLosum. Barred Owl. ‘Hoot Owl.” 
(A resident in Massachusetts throughout the year.) 
(a). About eighteen inches long. General colors, brown 
(cinereous above), and white (or tawny). ' Chiefly barred, but 
on the belly streaked. Eyes, small, very dark, and bordered on 
the inner edge with black. 
(b). Evidence indicates that the Barred Owls usually build 
their own nests, choosing for a site some crotch next to the 
trunk of a pine or oak. The nests are finished in the latter 
part of April, and three or four eggs are then laid. These 
latter are white, and generally measure about 2:00X1°70 of an 
inch. 
(c). The Barred Owls are apparently common residents in 
all the Atlantic States, but near Boston they have probably 
decreased in numbers proportionally to the decrease of wood- 
land. They may, however, not unfrequently be seen during 
the day, reposing in some thick wood of pines or hemlocks. 
On such an occasion, they watch your motions as you approach, 
and should you walk from one side of the tree to the other, 
they follow you with their eyes, turning their head as if they 
must infallibly twist it off, but not moving the body. No crea- 
ture through solemnity and soberness could be better fitted for 
the office of judge, and I am sure that every culprit would 
quail before such a stern, unvaried, and unceasing gaze. The 
effect of their behavior in a dark wood, is not unlike’ that 
