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62 ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY. 
cannot imagine the effect produced by the contrast: he must 
be on the spot in the dark night, and, through the sighing of 
the winds amid the grand old trees, hear the owls and loons; 
then, silence, broken by the beautiful song of the Nightin- 
gale. 
The flight of the Great Horned Owl is rapid, noiseless, 
and vigorous: he passes through the mazes of the forest 
with great dexterity and ease; and, when flying above the 
trees, frequently soars in the manner of the Hawks. He is 
very destructive among domestic poultry, frequently pouncing 
on fowls that are roosting on trees in the night, and bearing 
them off in his powerful grasp. This habit has rendered 
him obnoxious to the farmers, who lose no opportunity for 
destroying him. Rabbits, grouse, and other birds, fall vic- 
tims to his rapacity; and I have often shot individuals of 
this species, whose feathers were so impregnated with the 
peculiar odor of the skunk as to be unbearable at a near 
approach. 
When a flock of crows discover the presence of one of 
these birds, they immediately collect from all quarters, and 
attack him on every side, uttering their harsh, discordant 
cries: the owl is kept dancing and dodging on the limb, his 
perch, in a ludicrous manner; if he takes to flight, he is 
pursued by his enemies, and soon forced to alight. I have 
often been enabled to procure a specimen, by following 
a noisy mob of this description; just as we often are able 
to secure one of the smaller owls by proceeding to the copse 
where numbers of small birds —cat-birds, chewinks, and 
thrushes — are scolding at their enemy. 
I have had several specimens of the Great Horned Owl 
in captivity: they make amusing pets. When fed with raw 
meat, they seldom take it freely from the hand or tongs; 
and often can be made to swallow it, only by our opening 
their bills, and putting in the meat. They seem to have 
the power of seeing by daylight; for, if a living animal is 
introduced into their cage, they instantly seize it. I have 
