88 



STRIGID.E : OWLS. 



its dismal hooting heard from some tree about the 

 farm-house in places where the woods have been cleared 

 away ; while its occasional raids upon the poultry yard 

 are only too well known. No nest is usually con- 

 structed : the eggs are laid in the hollow of a tree, or in 

 the cleft of rocks, often in the deserted nest of a hawk, 



which is patched up 

 to suit, and very early 

 in the season in 

 February or March, 

 seldom if ever later 

 than April. State- 

 ments of authors are 

 greatly at variance re- 

 specting the nidifica- 

 tion, as well as the 

 number of eggs. So 

 widely distributed a 

 bird doubtless changes 

 its habits to some ex- 

 tent according to cir- 

 cumstances ; but in 

 New England, at any 

 rate, the rule is that 

 no nest is built, and 

 only two eggs are laid. 

 The probability is, also, that the eggs produce a male 

 and female, as usual among pigeons. They are white 

 in color, and measure about 2.25 by 1.90. These fine 

 large Owls are sometimes taken alive in traps, and may 

 easily be reared from the nest ; they stand confinement 

 well, and make interesting pets for those who are fond 

 of studying the traits of rapacious birds in captivity. 



FIG. 16. GREAT HORNED OWL. 



