208 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



ilance. Like the Great Horned Owl, it is occasionally a 

 very unwelcome visitor in the vicinity .of the farmyard, 

 where it causes the farmer considerable annoyance by its 

 raids upon the poultry. Its boldness renders it an object 

 of the most perfect detestation. But it combines therewith 

 a deal of caution, seldom venturing upon an attack until 

 having made a careful survey of the surrounding country, 

 to assure itself of the absence of danger ; and, then, before 

 swooping down from its covert upon the poultry, singles 

 out an individual at some distance from the flock, which it 

 takes unawares, and is off in the twinkling of an eye, with- 

 out having thrown the entire flock in a state of tumultuous 

 excitement. Always on the alert, and full of expedients, 

 it is seldom that it can be detected in its depredations ; but 

 when such is the case, it generally manages to escape pun- 

 ishment. 



The flight of this species is moderately elevated, glid- 

 ing, noiseless, and considerably protracted. Its general 

 movements are closely related to those of Bubovirginianus* 

 Whilst searching for food in low meadow lands, and, also 

 in waste fields which it is occasionally observed to do, it 

 glides smoothly and noiselessly above the tall grass, its 

 presence only being indicated by the moving shadow. As 

 soon as it espies the object of its desires, it swoops down 

 upon its victim, and sei/es it with considerable adroitness. 

 Like Syrnium iiebiilosum, it often accomplishes the same 

 end by waiting behind a fallen log, or a tussock of 

 grasses, and even from the summit of a stump, or from the 

 topmost rail of a fence, in close proximity. In the night- 

 time, is heard a low, mournful note, which is somewhat 

 guttural in intonation. This is heard at somewhat irregular 

 intervals, and is often exchanged for a loud, hideous, and 

 distressing cry, which is evidently designed to frighten the 

 smaller birds from their roosts, and thus secure their easy 

 capture. Unlike most of its family, it hunts both by day 

 and by twilight, but more generally at night. It delights in 



