•MS 



Iri'sli iR'cr. Wlicn a mouse was given to this bird it: 

 would isci/.c il wilii ils claws, and after severing willi 

 its hill tlu- skin about llie liead and neelc. would swal- 

 low 111!' wliole mass, always, I think, head foremost. 

 When il fid on small birds — which were frequently 

 shot and i)laced in the box, but which it would seldom 

 touch— I noticed that it generally tore open the skull 

 and ale lh(^ brain snbstance. This owl would never 

 drink water. 



FACTS ABOUT ITS HABITS. 



"The flight of the Mottled Owl is smooth, rapid, protracted 

 and noisele.'s. It rises at times above the top branches of the 

 highest of our forest trees whilst in pursuit of large beetles, 

 and at other times sails low and swiftly over the fields or 

 through the woods in search of small birds, field mice, moles 

 or wcod rats, from which it chiefly derives its subsistence. 

 Sometimes on alighting, which it does plumply, the Mottled 

 Owl immediately bends its body, turns its head to look behind 

 it. performs a curious nod. utters its notes, then shakes and 

 plumes itself, and resumes its flight in search of prey. It now 

 and then, while on the wing, produces a clicking sound with 

 Its mandibles, but more frequently when perched near its 

 mate or young. This I have thought was done by the bird to 

 manifest its courage and let the hearer know that it is not to 

 be meddled with, although few birds of prey are more gentle 

 when seized, as it will suffer a person to touch its feathers and 

 caress it without attempting to bite or strike with its talons, 

 unless at rare intervals. 



"The notes of this owl are uttered in a tremulous, doleful 

 manner, and somewhat resembles the chattering of the teeth 

 of a person under the influence of extreme cold, although 

 much louder. They are heard at a distance of several hundred 

 yards, and by some people are thought to be of ominous im- 

 port. 



"The little fellow is generally found about farm houses, 

 orchards and gardens. It alights nn the roof, the fence or the 

 garden gate, and utters its mournful ditty at intervals for 

 hours at a time as if it was in a state of great suffering, al- 

 though this is far from being the case — the song of all birds 

 being an indication of content and happiness. In a state of 

 confinement it utters its notes with as much satisfaction as 

 if at liberty. They are chiefly heard during the latter part of 

 the winter, that being the season of love, when the male bird 

 Is particularly attentive to the fair one. which excites his 

 tender emotions, and around which he flies and struts much 

 in the manner of the common pgoon. adding numerous nods 

 and bows, the sight of which is very amusing."— Audubon. 



