His LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



in the timbered lands of Texas, and Dr. Brewer even found 

 an individual on the island of Muskeget, near Xantneket, 

 as earl}' as 1846. In Nova Scotia, Mr. Downes mentions it 

 as a resident species, breeding in woods. 



In Eastern Pennsylvania, it is quite common in the winter, 

 in the extensive meadow-lands along the Schuylkill and 

 Delaware Rivers. In the vicinity of Germantown, though 

 less abundant, it is rather plentiful in marshy grounds, where 

 it may be occasionally met with during the day. It does 

 not restrict itself to such localities however, as individuals 

 have been frequently encountered in dense forests of ever- 

 greens, or in the small valleys that nestle among the hills 

 of the Wissahickon, but more especially where the valleys 

 are covered with gloomy pines, or with dense patches of 

 underbrush. Like the species last described, it is far from 

 being shy, andean be approached with comparative readiness. 

 These birds, though never congregating in great numbers 

 in their roosting quarters, as is the case with the Long-eared 

 Owl, are occasionally found in groups of two or three, and 

 even more, closely packed together among the boughs of 

 thick cedars or pines, or in the close coverts of dense bushes. 

 Whilst foraging for food in the same meadow, not the least 

 disturbance is observable ; the birds accidentally jostling 

 each other without manifesting the slightest feeling of ill- 

 nature. 



This Owl is by no means strictly nocturnal in its habits. 

 When pressed by hunger, and particularly when with young, 

 these birds are often found abroad in the daytime. Their 

 movements do not indicate an ill-adaptation to a diurnal life. 

 Their sight rivals that of Bubo virginianus, in being little 

 affected by the broad glare of the midday sun. Whilst 

 careering aloft over an expanse of meadow-ground, in 

 quest of prey, and even in its mode of capture, there is a 

 close resemblance to the movements of the Hawk. The 

 zigzagging and bewildering movements of vulgaris, var. 

 are notably absent ; instead of which there 



