186 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



resemble but slightly those of any other species. Being" a 

 strictly nocturnal species, it is never found abroad in the day- 

 time, but spends the entire day in the summits of dense pine 

 trees, only stirring from its perch in the dusk of evening. 

 When aroused by meddlesome birds, or busy human intruders, 

 its movements in the day-time are very uncertain and be- 

 wildering, and resemble the movements of persons who 

 have been awaked from a sound sleep. Although being 

 somewhat dazed by the too sudden light of the sun, even 

 in the thickest w r oods they manage to .steer clear of the 

 branches of trees which so often interlock each other, very 

 few accidents happening in their dubious and zigzag flight. 

 Many of our several species of Owls are occasionally seen 

 abroad during cloudy weather in quest of food, and some 

 few in the broad glare of day, but the subject of our sketch 

 has never been thus encountered. 



It is the most eminently social of all our nocturnal birds 

 of prey. While most of our Owls prefer to lead a solitary 

 life during the autumnal and winter months, and most gen- 

 erally seek separate roosting quarters somewhat isolated from 

 each other, this species delights in the companionship of 

 its fellows, for it is not uncommon to find several individuals 

 upon the same tree closely huddled together. Whilst forag- 

 ing for food, they cross and recross each other's path, and 

 nothing occurs to mar the perfect good feeling that prevails. 

 We have actually seen two individuals of different sexes prowl- 

 ing about the same meadow, within a few feet of each other, 

 on the alert for field mice ; and also perched upon the same 

 tree-branch, with their wide staring eyes evidently turned in 

 the same direction, intensely watching the movementsof a liv- 

 ing object at a few paces distant. While in search of food, it 

 is not an uncommon visitant about outbuildings and barns 

 which are situated at great distances from occupied dwellings. 

 On these occasions it has been seen to watch its prey while 

 perched upon a small hillock, or while standing upon the 

 ground in the shadow of a stump or tumulus, or from the 



