182 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



small bird, which at once notifies all the birds in the neighborhood, and soon we 

 may find titmice, wrens, vireos, warblers, and jays gathered about it and displaying 

 great excitement by their actions and cries. On such occasions, the Screech Owl 

 frequently sits for a time apparently unmoved, with head stretched upward and 

 feathers drawn tightly against its body, presenting on the whole a most unbird- 

 like appearance. It does not seem to see well in the daylight, and its flight is then 

 always uncertain, and merely to take it to a fresh place of refuge. 



Every one who learns "the noises of the night" knows its quavering, shivering 

 cry, which may be heard even in our most populous towns. This species nests in 

 hollow trees or stumps, often appropriating the disused nest of the Flicker. The 

 eggs vary from three to five in number, and are deposited usually in April. 



The food of the Screech Owl consists in part of rats and mice. It will, how- 

 ever, occasionally kill birds, even those larger than itself. 



As we have collected no specimens of this species in the lower coast counties, we have been 

 unable to determine the character of the birds found there. They are, perhaps, Florida Screech 

 Owls, Otus asio floridanus (Ridgw.). 



Genus Bubo (Dumeril) 

 166. Bubo virginianus virginianus (GmeL). GREAT HORNED OWL. 



Description: Ads. Size large; ear-tufts conspicuous, nearly two inches in length; upperparts 

 mottled with varying shades of ochraceous-buff and black; facial disk ochraceous-buff; ear-tufts 

 black and ochraceous-buff; a white patch on the throat, rest of the underparts ochraceous-buff, 

 barred with black; legs and feet feathered; eyes yellow. o* L., 22.00; W., 15.00; T., 8.50; B.,. 

 1.60. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range (including subspecies). Greater part of North and South America. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State at all seasons. 



This, the largest and fiercest of our owls, is found in all parts of North Caro- 

 lina. Being of a wary nature, and capable of seeing well in the daytime, it is not 

 very often that it allows one the privilege of a near approach. 



It seems a pity that so handsome a bird should have such a thoroughly bad 

 reputation. It preys indiscriminately on many forms of wild life, such as rabbits, 

 grouse, partridges, and even turkeys. Chickens roosting in trees at times fall vic- 

 tims to its rapacity, and it has been recorded that where food is plentiful it often 

 eats only the heads of its victims. Scarcely any bird or animal of its own weight 

 is safe from this nocturnal woodland hunter. Keen of sight, powerful of bill and 

 talon, and with a wonderful courage, the Great Horned Owl noiselessly hunts the 

 open glades and woodland fastnesses as twilight drops over the land. Even the 

 beautiful but odorous skunk is not safe from this owl's rapacity. Dr. C. Hart 

 Merriam states: "I have known one to kill and decapitate three turkeys and sev- 

 eral hens in a single night." Dr. P. R. Hoy (extract from quotation) in Fisher's 

 Hawks and Owls of the United States says: "The specimen in the collection of 

 the Academy was known to carry off from one farm, in the space of a month, not 

 less than twenty-seven individuals of various kinds of poultry before it was shot." 



Sometimes a pigeon house will be selected and a heavy toll levied on the inmates 

 before the destroyer can be captured. Rabbits, however, seem to be its favorite- 

 food, and large numbers must be destroyed where these owls are plentiful. 



