296 RAPTORES. 



size. "It sails," says Wilson, "with apparent ease, in large cir- 

 cles, and rises and descends without the least difficulty, by 

 merely inclining the wings or its tail as it passes through the 

 air." Even when "not more than fifty yards distant, it utters 

 its mournful Aoo, hoo, hoo-e, in so peculiar an under tone, that 

 to those not acquainted with the bird, it might seem they were 

 produced by an Owl more than a mile distant." This Owl is 

 very powerful and daring, attacking half-grown Turkeys with 

 success, and making large havoc among other fowls. 



THE LITTLE SCREECH OWL, B. Asio, sometimes called the 

 MOTTLED OWL, and when young, the RED OWL of Wilson, is 

 only about ten inches long; and usually found about farm- 

 houses, orchards, and gardens. Audubon "carried one of the 

 young birds in his coat-pocket from Philadelphia to New York, 

 traveling alternately by water and by land. It remained gener- 

 ally quiet, fed from the hand, and never attempted to escape." 

 The Little Screech Owl is found in the Eastern States, and in 

 Virginia and Maryland. 



Otus. (Gr. ous, an ear.) In this genus, the conch of the ear 

 is of enormous size. 



THE EARED OWL is common to the Eastern and Western 

 Continents; in Pennsylvania, it is much more numerous than 

 the White or Barn Owl. (Wilson.) Of this genus, there are two 

 species, the O. vulgaris, the Long-Eared Owl, and O. brachyo- 

 tus, (Gr. brachus, short,) the Short-Eared Owl. In the latter, 

 the head tufts are inconspicuous. The size excepted, these 

 Owls resemble the Great Horned Owl. 



What is the first order of LAND BIRDS ? What other name is sometimes 

 given to it ? Into what sub-orders is it divided ? Give the general charac- 

 ters of the Birds of Prey. What is the comparative size of the females of 

 this order ? How many families do they include ? Into what SUB-FAMI- 

 LIES does Swainson divide the FALCONS ? What is said of the Falcons as a 

 family ? Why in treating of the Falcon Tribe is the first place given to the 

 Eagle ? Have Eagles a distinct notch or tooth in the upper mandible ? 

 What is said of the Golden Eagle ? Why is it called Golden ? Is the Ring- 

 tailed Eagle a distinct species ? What fact is given showing the longevity 

 of the Golden E. ? What is said of the size, plumage, &c. of the Bald or 

 White-Headed E. ? What is one of its favorite haunts? What does Dr. 

 Franklin say of it ? When was the Washington Sea E. first observed ? 

 What is said of the Harpy Eagle ? What of the Caracara Eagle ? What is 

 said of the Fish-Hawk or Bald-Buzzard ? What of the Harrier ? 



What characters separate the Kites or Second Family from the other 

 Birds of Prey ? What is said of the Common Kite or Glede ? What of 

 the Swallow or Forked-tailed Hawk ? What of the genus Elanus and its 



