BIRDS OF PREY/. 43 



it a rather difficult matter to effect its capture without 

 receiving a wound, and all the time fixing its large eyes 

 upon him with a strange weird-like intelligence, but 

 with no appearance of ferocity. I could not help being 

 struck by its expression, as though it was animated by 

 a feeling more akin to reason than instinct, and my 

 heart ached for the poor bird thus struck down so use- 

 lessly. 



With regard to the note of the white owl, I venture 

 with diffidence to express an opinion which I am aware 

 is contrary to that of most who have written of it ; at 

 the same time it is no theoretical fancy, but the result 

 of close and continuous observation. It is generally 

 stated that this species seldom hoots. Montagu boldly 

 says, "" it is never known to hoot ;" Macgillivray, that 

 " it has no other note than a shriek ;" and Mr. Waterton, 

 that "the tawny owl is the only owl which hoots." 

 Similar assertions might so easily be multiplied that it 

 seems almost like temerity to assert the contrary. A 

 desire to elucidate the truth, however, compels me to 

 do this, and I am glad to be supported by so high an 

 authority as Sir W. Jardine, who, in a note to a late 

 edition of White's Selborne, says that the white owl 

 does hoot, for he has shot it in the act and more, that 

 at night, when not alarmed, hooting is its general cry. 

 This I can confirm most unhesitatingly, for I have heard 

 it repeatedly and continuously do so, and, on the very 

 account of the alleged infrequency, have taken particular 

 pains to verify the fact. I have been familiar with both 

 species from boyhood, and have roamed through our 

 forest at all times of the evening, and it was always the 

 tawny owl which we designated as the " screech owl," 

 while the well-known "hoo-hoo-hoo-hooo " was almost 



