OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 175 



not yet developed those finer sentiments and feelings which 

 sire an index of improvement and advancement. 



Their flight is exceedingly rapid and graceful, and closely 

 resembles that of the Eagle. They sail through the air with 

 equal ease, cleaving it in wide circles, and when at a great 

 height, are sometimes mistaken for their most glorious and 

 quite distant compeer. Although somewhat closely allied 

 to the latter, they lack the address which so pre-eminently 

 characterizes this bird in its capture of prey. L"ike the 

 Barn Owl, they are compelled to prowl about on dark nights, 

 and seize their prey w r hile it is asleep, or in its uncertain 

 wanderings from tree to tree when disturbed from its slumbers 

 by the fearful hootings of these midnight assassins ; and are 

 even constrained to come down from their lofty height and 

 skulk among the tall grasses, ready to pounce upon their 

 victim in the shape of some luckless A.rvicola, as he 

 ventures abroad unmindful of hidden danger to procure 

 his accustomed meal, or to hold high revel with his friends 

 and relations. 



The loud yet somew r hat mournful hootings and cries of 

 this bird, are rather remarkable, and are mainly heard during 

 the breeding-season. At times, but a single unearthly shriek 

 is uttered, which is soon followed by a bark-like sound 

 which not unfrequently provokes a rejoinder from many a 

 canine, should he chance to hear it. But the most common 

 sound which is emitted is a curious dissyllabic note resem- 

 bling wau-hdd, which is remarkably prolonged upon the 

 last syllable, and, which reverberates through the midnight 

 gloom with startling effect. 



The food of this species consists of small quadrupeds, 

 poultry, small birds, and insects. The following list partially 

 embraces its bill of fore : J/?AV mnscithis* ^f. rattiis. 

 Arvicola Gapperi, Jaculus hudsonius, Lepus sylvaticus, 

 . the Fringillid(Z2c&& Sylvicolidce among birds, and Lucanns 

 dama, Passalus cornntux, Pr/otnts laticoltis* Pangus 

 caliginosus, Lachnosterna quercina, and other coleoptera ; 



