OWLS 



261 



Owls are practically non-migratory and it is indeed hard to con- 

 ceive what would bring the Arctic species to a place so far 

 beyond its normal range. I have examined many Horned Owls 

 in the taxidermists' shops during the past nine years and found 

 that they exhibit a great variation in plumage as regards light- 

 ness and darkness. Specimens exposed to strong light still 

 further bleach out and lighten in color, and judging by the 

 conditions surrounding the specimen in the Portland Society 

 collections, a somewhat pale individual has become still paler 

 by exposure to light for years. 



Mr. Boardman's bird, a New Brunswick specimen barely 

 mentioned in the List, was also exposed for years under 

 conditions which would still further lighten its plumage. Mr. 

 Nash's bird I have not seen, but believe it not greatly different 

 from pale individuals observed elsewhere which were brought 

 to the taxidermist shops in flesh at all seasons, so that all in 

 all it seems best to now treat the extreme variations, both 

 light and dark as indivdual extremes in plumage, all referable 

 as they occur in Maine to the type, Bubo virginianiis. 



The specimen of Dusky Horned Owl recorded by Mr. Norton 

 is not much darker in coloration than many individuals seen 

 elsewhere. It is indeed possible that all our Maine birds are 

 nearer the northern form and may be better regarded as all 

 being referable to B. v. satw-atus. 



The species is typical of the deeper more lonely woods of 

 Maine. Here at night its querying voice may be heard calling 

 in a deep tone "hoo-hoo-hoo, who, who, woo, who, who." When 

 their nest is climbed to during the breeding season or when a 

 captive bird is annoyed they snap and crack their bills and 

 spit and hiss in a most ferocious manner. A captive bird will 

 throw itself partly on its back and with extended talons offer 

 a most cordial embrace to whatever dares to touch it. They 

 are usually night flyers, but occasionally one is discovered and 

 mobbed by the Crows in daytime until driven to seek safety 

 in flight. The flight is soft quick and noiseless. 



