332 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



to leave his perch until the tree was rapped violently, upon 

 which he started with a few silent flaps and then sailed away. 

 Owing to his great size, and his wings spread to their full ex- 

 tent, he presented a formidable appearance. He did not seem 

 to experience difficulty in finding his way among the trees. 



The Great Gray Owls, according to Mr. Ball's observations, 

 " feed principally upon small birds, and he took no less than 

 thirteen crania and other remains of ^Egiotlius linaria [or 

 Lesser Red-poll] from the crop of a single bird." 



(d). Their notes have been described as tremulous, and not 

 unlike those of the Screech Owl. 



(B) NEBULOSUM. Barred Owl. "Hoot Owl" 

 (A resident in Massachusetts throughout the year.) 

 (a). About eighteen inches long. General colors, brown 

 (cinereous above), and white (or tawny). Chiefly barred, but 

 on the belly streaked. Eyes, small, very dark, and bordered on 

 the inner edge with black. 



(6). Evidence indicates that the Barred Owls usual ty build 

 their own nests, choosing for a site some crotch next to the 

 trunk of a pine or oak. The nests are finished in the latter 

 part of April, and three or four eggs are then. laid. These 

 latter are white, and generally measure about 2-00X1*70 of an 

 inch. 



(c). The Barred Owls are apparently common residents in 

 all the Atlantic States, but near Boston they have probably 

 decreased in numbers proportionally to the decrease of wood- 

 land. They may, however, not unfrequently be seen during 

 the day, reposing in some thick wood of pines or hemlocks. 

 On such an occasion, they watch your motions as j r ou approach, 

 and should you walk from one side of the tree to the other, 

 they follow you with their eyes, turning their head as if they 

 must infallibly twist it off, but not moving the body. No crea- 

 ture through solemnity and soberness could be better fitted for 

 the office of judge, and I am sure that every culprit would 

 quail before such a stern, unvaried, and unceasing gaze. The 

 effect of their behavior in a dark wood, is not unlike that 



