200 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



than its foolhardy brethren, upon the wild game which seek 

 the coverts of thick swamps, deep pines, and dense under- 

 brush. 



The notes of this Owl are often heard in the daytime, as 

 well as at night. Whilst searching for birds at night, a scream 

 like that of a hawk is heard, which is evidently designed to 

 startle its prey from its perch, and thus secure its easier 

 capture. Not so when sailing across a meadow, where 

 the utterance of a single sound, no matter how slight, would 

 cause the objects of its pursuit to slink away to their hiding 

 places. The hooting of this bird is a loud guttural, which 

 is capable of imitation, and is useful as a decoy. Nuttall 

 has quite happily expressed its syllabic language. It is 

 characterized by ' koh- koli- ko-' ko- Jw, or by "'ivJiah-ivJiaJi- 

 '~ivhak-iv/iak-aa. Audubon affirms it to be suggestive of 

 an affected burst of laughter. 



During cloudy weather, and especially when there are 

 strong indications of rain, the cries of this bird are exceed- 

 ingly multiplied, especially during the night. These sounds 

 are uttered at somewhat regular intervals, and are responded 

 to by individuals of the same species, who appear to be 

 holding high carnival. 



The food of these birds consists of small quadrupeds, both 

 small and large birds, lizards, snakes, poultry, and in- 

 sects. The following articles contribute to its bill of fare : 

 Lcpus sylvaticus, Mus musciilns, J/. rattus, Arvicola 

 Gap peri, Jaculus hudsonius ; Ortyx virginianus, PJiilo- 

 hcla minor, Bonasa umbcUus, Turdus migratorius, htis- 

 calus vcrsicolor, and other birds ; Plethodon erythronotus, 

 Eiitccnia sirtalis and Storeria Dekayi] Lucciinis daina, 

 Prionus laticollis, Lachnosterna quercina, and Passalus 

 cornutus] Telea polyphewus, Platysamia cecropia, and 

 many of the Sphiugidcc and Noctuidcc, among lepidoptera. 



During the latter part of March, but more usually early in 

 April, the sexes come together; or rather, mating com- 

 mences. Although more than ordinary sympathy exists 



