274 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



in Massachusetts. The nest is generally in the fork of a tree, 

 made of twigs, and lined with leaves and a few feathers. The 

 eggs are from three to six in number ; the color, white. The 

 male relieves the female in sitting. The young remain in the 

 nest till they are fully fledged, and acquire the full plumage of 

 the old birds in the succeeding spring. 



The Cinereous Owl, Slrix cinerea, or Great Grey Owl, 

 as he is commonly called, is very often found in Maine, but 

 seldom in Massachusetts. Several years since, one was taken 

 on a woodpile in Marblehead, and lived some months after its 

 capture. But such visits are accidental, and its home is at 

 Hudson's Bay and Labrador, where it is found throughout the 

 year. 



The LoNG-EARED Owl, Strix ohis, is found in Massachusetts, 

 but is never common ; it is most likely to be seen in winter, 

 when it comes near the farms in search of rats and mice, 

 which, together with moles and field-mice, are its chief depen- 

 dence for food. It is sometimes mistaken for the young of the 

 great-horned owl, a species which it resembles in everything 

 but size, so that they are' easily confounded by untaught ob- 

 servers. It is like it in courage also, and when wounded, 

 makes a fierce and angry resistance, which it is difficult to 

 overcome. 



The Short-eared Owl, ^trix hrachyotiis, is another of 

 those wanderers which occasionally leave their northern home 

 to visit us. It feeds almost entirely on mice, and can be 

 brought into view sometimes, by imitating the low squeak of 

 its prey. They are attracted also by the light of fires, and, 

 either in blindness or ferocity, have been known to attack the 

 men near them. They are remarkable for spirit, and, though 

 small, not exceeding thirteen inches in length, it is almost dan- 

 gerous to approach them. In their intercourse with each other, 

 they are more social than most other birds of prey. Bewick 

 says, that in England, more than two dozen have been seen 

 engaged in the same field, destroying mice in company. In 

 this work of extermination they are eminently serviceable to 



