HABITS OF THE VIRGINIAN EARED OWL. 



103 



before it awakes. Sometimes, however, the Owl is baffled in a very curious manner. 

 When the turkey happens to be roused by the rush of the winged foe, it instinctively ducks 

 its head and spreads its tail flatly over its back. The Owl, impinging upon the slippery 

 plane of stiff tail feathers, finds no hold for its claws, and glides off the back of its 

 intended victim, which immediately dives into the brushwood before the Owl can recbver 

 from the surprise of its unexpected failure. 



The following admirable description of the Virginian Eared Owl, as it used to be 

 in the earlier days of cultivation, is given by Audubon in his well-known History of the 

 Birds of America. 



"It is during the placid serenity of a 



beautiful night, when the current of the 



waters moves silently along, reflecting from 



its smooth surface the silver radiance of the 



moon, and when all else of animated nature 



seems sunk in repose, that the great Horned 



Owl, one of the Nimrods of the feathered tribes 



of our forests, may be seen sailing silently 



and yet rapidly on, intent on the destruction 



of the object destined to form its food. 



The lone steersman of the descending boat 



observes the nocturnal hunter gliding on ex- 

 tended pinions across the river, sailing over 



one hill and then another, or suddenly sweep- 

 ing downwards and again rising in the air 



like a moving shadow, now distinctly seen, and 



again, mingling with the sombre shades of the 



surrounding woods, fading into obscurity. 

 The bird has now floated to some distance, 



and is opposite the newly-cleared patch of 



ground, the result of a squatter's first attempt 



at cultivation in a place lately shaded by the 



trees of the forest. The moon shines brightly 



on his hut, his light fence, the newly planted 



orchard, and a tree which, spared by the axe, 



serves as a roosting-place for the scanty stock 



of poultry which the new-comer has procured 



from some liberal neighbour. Amongst them 



rests a turkey-hen, covering her offspring with 

 extended wings. 



The great Owl, with eyes keen as those of 

 any falcon, is now seen hovering above the 

 place. He has already espied the quarry, 

 and is sailing in wide circles, meditating his 

 plan of attack. The turkey-hen, which at 

 another time might be sound asleep, is now, 



however, so intent upon the care of her young brood, that she rises on her legs, and purrs 

 so loudly as she opens her wings and spreads her tail, that she rouses her neighbours, the 

 hens, together with their protector. The cacklings which they at first emit soon become 

 a, general clamour. 



The squatter hears the uproar, and is on his feet in an instant, rifle in hand ; the 

 priming examined, he gently pushes open the half-closed door and peeps out cautiously, 

 to ascertain the cause by which his repose has been disturbed. He observes the murderous 

 Owl just alighting on the dead branch of a tall tree, when, raising his never-failing rifle, 

 he takes aim, touches the trigger, and the next instant sees the foe falling dead to the 

 ground. The bird is unworthy of his further attention, and is left a prey to some prowling 



V 



VIRGINIAN EARED OWL. Bit&o rirgini&nus. 



