BIRDS OF PREY. 181 



The Great Gray Owl of the north is the largest 

 of our owls. If it is seen at all in the United States, 

 it is as a straggler during winter. Several have been 

 recorded as captured in New England and in Penn- 

 sylvania, and Dr. Wheaton mentions its occasional 

 occurrence in Ohio. 



" At Hudson's Bay and Labrador these owls reside the whole year, 

 and were found in the Oregon Territory by Mr. Townsend. They 

 associate in pairs, fly very low, and feed on mice and hares, which 

 they seize with such muscular vigor as sometimes to sink into the 

 snow after them a foot deep. With ease they are able to carry off 

 the alpine hare alive in their talons. ... It is common on the 

 borders of Great Bear Lake, and there and in higher parallels of 

 latitude it must pursue its prey during the summer months by day- 

 light. It keeps, however, within the woods, and does not frequent 

 the barren grounds like the Snowy Owl, nor is it so often met with 

 in broad daylight as the Hawk-owl, but hunts principally when the 

 sun is low." NUTTALL. 



The Acadian Owl is the smallest member of the 

 family found with us. It is more nocturnal than 

 many others of the family, and this, together with its 

 size, renders its discovery difficult. 



In Central New Jersey this owl is not common, its 

 place being filled by the little screech-owl ; but I 

 have found that there are a few in every locality 

 where there is an extensive growth of cedars. They 

 are so sensitive to light that they are never volun- 

 tarily abroad at that time of day, and when insect- 

 hunting after sunset they make no noise, and might 

 readily pass for a whippoorwill. One that I found 

 by accident in a cedar-tree remained in the neigh- 

 borhood from October until the following August, 

 so it can fairly be considered as a resident species. 

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