OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 1(17 



vast numbers of exceedingly noxious and destructive 

 creatures which ityearly exterminates, more than counterbal- 

 ance the former. Although in places remote from towns. 

 it still continues to frequent the orchards and yards of farm- 

 houses, we have never heard a single complaint of its 

 destruction of poultry. There is no doubt that it would 

 esteem a young- and tender chick a rather dainty morsel, 

 and perhaps has taken an occasional stray one, but its rava- 

 ges in this direction need not be feared, so long as the 

 mother-chicken is about, to defend her progeny. 



The chief articles which contribute to its bill of fare are 

 .}f?<s rattits. J/. inusculiis, Arvicola Gapperi, Hesperomvs 

 1 eiicopns. and manv of our commonest FringillidtZ] besides 

 Lit can us darna* Laclniosterua quercina, /,. hirticula^ 

 Passalus corntitii$ Prionuslaticollis, Osmoderma scabra, 

 and other beetles. Smerinthus cxccccata* Philampelus 

 s&tellitia, Telea polvpliemus* Citheronict regalis* Eacles 

 iniperialis. and many of our larger Noctuidcz. among 

 lepidoptera. 



The flight of this Owl is moderately rapid, noiseless, but 

 less sustained and graceful than that of Bubo virgin latins. 

 L'nlike the latter, it is less upon the wing, preferring to 

 watch for its prey while perched upon a dead branch, or a 

 fence rail ; even condescending to the somewhat grovelling 

 business of coming to the ground, and stealthily stealing 

 upon its victim as it emerges from its place of concealment. 

 In the low meadows which are the frequent places of resort 

 of ground mice or Arvicolcc, it may often be seen skim- 

 ming over the surface, scarcely above the tall grasses, on 

 clear moonlit evenings, on the eager lookout for such animals, 

 tor which it has a particular fondness. Some of its 

 movements while upon the wing are decidedly hawk-like. 



Hut the best place to study the general movements of this 

 bird is under confinement. Its actions are so closely assim- 

 ilated to those of some of our commonest South American 

 monkeys, that in some rural districts, it has received the some- 



