278 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 
the bank of a stream at my approach, which leads me to think 
that they are very fond of bathing and washing themselves, 
although I never saw one inthe act. They feed chiefly upon the 
hares that live in the thickets. (Spreadborough.) This species 
builds in holes in trees when such can be found, it also 
builds in hemlock, beech or other large trees in the vicinity 
of Ottawa. The nest is placed near the trunk of the tree 
and is composed of dry sticks, probably lined with leaves 
and feathers; the eggs are two or three in number. (G. R. White.) 
A fairly common species along the St. Lawrence, but rapidly 
becoming rarer. I have seen the nest several times ; one near 
Perth, Ont., in a tamarac tree not more than twelve feet from the 
ground, which on May 30th, 1886, contained two young ones just 
able to fly. It is a very early breeder ; on the 11th April, 1895, 
I found a nest with two much incubated eggs. The nest 
occupied was in a yellow birch, and the previous year had been 
tenanted by a pair of red-shouldered hawks. This nest was 
again occupied by the owls three years later. Again in 1899 I 
found the nest in a hemlock about sixty feet from the ground on 
March 28th, when the weather was very cold and snow covered 
the ground. This nest contained two eggs, incubation far 
advanced. This owl is easily kept in confinement and does not 
appear to suffer from changes of weather. I have had one for 
fifteen years. (Rev. C. J. Young.) A nest of this species found 
in May, 1900, containing two large young, had beneath it numer- 
ous fragments of birds and mammals, among the former were 
remains of a broad-winged hawk, two red-shouldered hawks and 
one red-tailed hawk. (W. &. Saunders.) 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
Three ; one purchased with the Holman collection in 1885, 
another procured by S. Herring at Toronto, Ont.; one taken at 
Walker’s Pond near London, Ont. by W. E. Saunders. 
One set of two eggs taken at Scarboro Heights, east of 
Toronto, Ont., April 2nd, 1897; nest in an old red-shouldered 
hawk’s nest in the top of a tall maple. 
375¢. Western Horned Owl. 
Bubo virginianus pallescens STONE. 1897. 
I have a specimen taken at Rosseau, Muskoka District ; among 
the horned owls killed about Toronto in the autumn will often be 
