OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 211 



esteemed as articles of diet by the Indians. Audubon, 

 evidently speaking from experience, affirms the flesh to be 

 fine and delicate, and possessed of edible qualities. In the 

 Hudson Bay Territory, according to Mr. Gunn, they are 

 readily attracted within gunshot by a bundle of dark rags 

 fastened to a stout cord and trailed from the extremity of 

 the hunter's snow-shoe. 



During some winters these birds are eminently gregarious, 

 and traverse certain sections in immense numbers. This 

 was especially the case in Nova Scotia during the winter 

 of 1861-62, according to Mr Downes. 



In confinement, this species behaves with marked propriety, 

 and learns to recognize its keeper with comparative ease, 

 by the voice, even when he is not bodily present. It becomes 

 quite tame and familiar, taking food from the hands of its 

 master with perfect complacency. A stranger, it will 

 scarcely notice, save to resent his advances with a hiss, or 

 a determined scratch of the claws. Though less amusing 

 and interesting a pet than the Barn Owl, which it slightly 

 resembles in some of its actions, yet, by its extreme sociabil- 

 ity and devotedness, it amply compensates for that lack of 

 comicalness and vivacity which its most distant relative 

 possesses in a pre-eminent degree. It is by no means dainty 

 about its food, accepting almost anything that has not the 

 taint of putridity about it, but preferring birds and fish, for 

 which it has a strong partiality. 



The eggs are described by Dr. Brewer as being oblong- 

 oval in contour, with equally-rounded extremities, and of 

 an obscure sullied white. This soiled color is apparently 

 due to their immediate contact with the earth. The3' meas- 

 ure 2.50 inches in length, and 1.88 in width. 



Surnia ulula, var. hudsonica, (GM.) Cone*. 



The American Hawk Owl is common in the borean 

 regions of both continents. While the European type is 

 notably absent from the fauna of the British Islands, the 



