GREAT HORNED OWL 

 375. Bubo virginianus. 23 in. 



Has ear tufts, thus distinguishing it from any other 

 of our large, powerfully built owls. These large birds 

 are the fiercest, most active and most destructive of 

 the family. Their size and strength allows them to 

 kill skunks and woodchucks, as well as poultry, grouse 

 and small mammals and birds. They seem to be es- 

 pecially fond of skunks, and nearly all of them that I 

 have seen or handled, have given unmistakable evi- 

 dence of their recent and close association with these 

 animals. 



Notes. A deep, dismal "who-who," and a loud un- 

 earthly shriek. 



Nest. Usually in deserted hawk or crow nests, and 

 also in hollow trees; eggs white. (2.25x1.85). Feb., 

 March. 



Range. Breeds and resident from the Gulf to Lab- 

 rador. 375a. Western Horned Owl (pallescens) is paler 

 colored; found in the plains and Rockies north to 

 Manitoba. 375b. Arctic Horned Owl (subarcticus), is 

 cniefly black and white; found in Arctic America, win- 

 teiing south to northern border of United States. 



229 



