534 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



Genus BUBO Cuvirr. 

 BUBO VIRGINIANUS (Gmel.). 



165. Great Horned Owl. (375) 



Distinguished by its large size, in connection with the ccinspicuous ear-tufts ; 

 the other species of similar dimensions are tuftless. The plumage varies 

 internunal)ly, and no concise description will meet all its phases ; it is a 

 variegation of blackish, with dark and light brown, and fulvons. A white 

 collar is the most constant color mark. Length, aljont 2 feet ; wing, 14-16 

 inches : tail, 9-10. 



Hab. — Eastern North America, west to the JNlississippi Valley, and from 

 Labrador south to Costa Rica. 



Nest, sometimes in a hollow tree, or cleft of a rock, or among the branches 

 •of a high tree in the thickest part of the woods, very often the nest of the 

 Red-tailed Hawk is appropriated, or that of other species where available. 



Eggs, two or three, round, white. 



The Great Horned Owl is well known in Ontario, being generally 

 distributed throughout the Province. During the day it hides away 

 in the deep impenetralile parts of the woods, but at night sallies forth 

 in quest of prey, and does not hesitate to rob the hen roost, return- 

 ing for that purpose night after night, unless stopped by a snap shot 

 in the dark, or caught in a trap baited for the purpose. Individuals 

 vary greatly in plumage, so much so that they have been described as 

 ■distinct species. Near Hamilton 1 have found them varjdng from 

 light silverjr-gray to deep fulvous brown. I once obtained a very 

 handsome specimen in the latter dress which I was unable to utilize 

 from its having l)een recently in contact with a skunk. It is strictly 

 nocturnal in its habits, but when oljliged by the attention of crows, 

 ■or other disturbing causes, to move dui^ng the day, it makes good use 

 of its eyes, and gets quickly away to the nearest tliicket for shelter. 



This is not the most numerous of the owls which occur with us, 

 but no other member of the family receiv'es so much attention. This 

 is owing to its large size, its loud call, w-hich is heard at a great 

 distance on still evenings in the fall, but chiefly to the raids it makes 

 •on the hen roosts. In older countries, where, by many of the 

 inhabitants, all the owls are supposed to be to some extent in com- 

 munication with the supernatural agents of evil, this would be 

 regarded as a most " unlucky " visitor ; but in this new land we have 

 no birds of evil omen, and the owl receives his proper place in science 

 .and in literatui'e. Longfellow speaks of him as "a grave bird, a monk 

 who chants midnight mass in the great temple of nature." 



