253 



Siberian jay, and iias also disturbed it feeding on an old wil- 

 low giouse. The same naturalist has also taken insects from 

 its^tomach.' "(Hist. British Birds, Vol. I, 1883, p. 184.) 



"The species is tame and unsuspicious, and may be ap- 

 proached easily without being alarmed; in fact, specimens 

 have been known to return to the same perch after being shot 

 at two or three times. It is a courageous bird, and will de- 

 fend its nest against all intruders. A male once dashed at 

 Dr. Dall and knocked off his hat as he was climbing to the 

 nest; other similar accounts show that the courage displayed 

 on this occasion was not an individual freak, but a common 

 trait of the species. 



"Although the flight is swift and hawk-like, it has neverthe- 

 less the soft, noiseless character common to the other owls. 

 When starting from any high place, such as the top of a tree, 

 it usually pitches down nearly to the ground, and flies off rap- 

 idly above the tops of the bushes or high grass, abruotly rising 

 again as it seeks another perch. 



"The note is a shrill cry which it utters generally while the 

 bird is on the wing." 



