198 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



to the extreme base. A nest of this Owl was found in Fremont county, 

 Colorado, June 15, 1875, by Charles E. Akin; it was in a dead pine 

 tree, and contained one egg, which was taken with the female bird. In 

 color and shape the egg resembles those of other species of the genus, 

 and measures 1.12X.95. 



375. Bubo virginianus (Gmel.) [405.] 



Great Horned Owl. 



Hab. Eastern North America, westward as far as the Mississippi Valley, and from Labrador south to 

 Costa Rica. 



Literature abounds with the observations of naturalists on the 

 habits of the Great Horned Owl, and the pages of prose, poetry and 

 song graphically depict its many characteristics. 



It is known as the Hoot or Cat Owl, or " Hooter," and is the largest 

 of all the owls with ear-tufts. A common bird throughout North 

 America at large in its several geographical varieties, the present 

 species being restricted to the region east of the Mississippi Valley. 

 Barn-yards are its favorite hunting grounds, and its depredations done 

 there among the poultry are well known. Rabbits, raccoons, weasels, 

 mink and other quadrupeds, with an occasional quail or grouse, make 

 up a large portion of this bird's food. The bones, fur and feathers of 

 these animals, and other refuse of food may be found in their nests in 

 greater or less abundance, and the nesting places are also fre- 

 quently impregnated with the odor of the skunk. This bird does not 

 migrate, but is resident wherever found. It generally breeds earlier 

 than the Barred Owl. The time of nesting is usually in February and 

 March, and I know of eggs comparatively fresh taken April 15, but 

 through extensive research and information furnished by correspond- 

 ents regarding the nesting, the greater portion of the eggs are deposited 

 in the latter part of February or the first part of March ; at least more 

 eggs have been collected at that time than at any other period ; and 

 these dates will apply to the nesting of all other forms of this Owl. 



Deep woods are its favorite haunts while breeding, where its bulky 

 nests of sticks, bark, leaves, etc., may be found in the branches of trees 

 ranging from twenty to one hundred feet from the ground, or the eggs 

 may be deposited in a natural cavity of a tree. The deserted nests of 

 crows or those of hawks are appropriated — the nests of the Red-tail, 

 Red-shouldered and Cooper's Hawks being common receptacles. In 

 Florida and some other sections the nests of the Bald Eagle, Osprey 

 and Caracara Eagle are frequently taken possession of by this Owl, 

 and the same pair of birds will occupy a nest for successive years, even 

 after being annually molested and robbed. A rap on the trunk of the 

 tree will generally cause the birds to leave the nest. Besides the matei 



