340 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



strnctive of their tribe in North America, in many parts of 

 which, including New England, they are not uncommon. They 

 are resident in Massachusetts throughout the }*ear. They 

 frequent the thick woods, from which they roam at night 

 over the open country, and pay visits to the farm-yard. They 

 usually roost among some clump of evergreens during the 

 day, and occasionally may be closely approached before they 

 take to flight. But on cloudy days, they see well, and, ex- 

 ceptionally, even hunt for their prey, which consists of rab- 

 bits, squirrels, skunks, .partridges, poultry, and the like. They 

 fly with great strength and ease, often sailing, even in circles, 

 like the buzzards. Apparently they inhabit the same neighbor- 

 hood throughout the year, but lead a solitaiy life during the 

 larger part of it. . 



Nothing can more gratify a romantic imagination than 

 musings on the life of this owl. Imagine the scenes which 

 characterize his existence. Fancy him perched on some tree : 

 a silent watcher, he surveys the country shrouded in darkness, 

 or fantastically lit by the moon, listens to the sighing of the 

 breeze through the pines, and marks the waving of the nrys- 

 terious shadows ; then, spreading his wings, he sails away with 

 the silence of a spirit, ready to pounce upon his unsuspecting 

 prey, and alights in some still more romantic spot, perhaps by 

 a lonely river in the forest ; now, he wanders through a war 

 of elements which man shrinks from, through darkness, cold, 

 and falling snow, or goes abroad in a gloom impenetrable 

 except to him and his fellow-wanderers, in furious winds, and 

 in down-pouring rain ; at last, he pounces upon some poor 

 animal, and, tearing him piece-meal, begins his nocturnal 

 repast. Next, he startles some traveler by his unearthly cries, 

 perhaps united to the quavering note of the Loon. 



What scenes he may have beheld, an unknown witness ; what 

 deeds of darkness he might disclose. But all this he en-joys. 

 His savageness and wildness of disposition are evident. No 

 other word than "devilish" can describe the Great Horned 

 Owl in confinement. Approach him in some corner, remark 

 his unconquerable spirit, observe his glaring eyes, as he slowly 



