AVES—OWL. 467 
before the sportsman can get within reach of it. ‘They are,” he adds, “so 
great a hindrance to those employed in the hunting service, that the same 
premium is given for one of their heads as for that of the hawk.” 
Wilson describes this bird as being particularly fond of frequenting the 
shores and banks of shallow rivers, sailing slowly over the surface, or sitting 
on a rock a little raised above the water, watching for fish, which it sgizes 
with a sudden and instantaneous siroke of the foot, seldom missing its aim. 
It is capable of swallowing entire animals of considerable size, such as 
grouse, and partridges, young hares, and rabbits. Mr Bullock mentions an 
instance that came within his knowledge, in which a wounded individual 
disgorged a whole rabbit. According to Hearne, the female makes her nest 
upon the ground, and generally lays from three to four eggs, but seldom 
hatches more than two. The young are unable to fly before September ; 
and the parents never migrate in search of a more temperate climate, but 
brave the coldest winters, even on the barren grounds, far from any shelter 
that might be derived from the woods. In such situations they perch on 
high rocks and stones, watching for their prey, their snowy plumage render- 
ing them almost undistinguishable. Their voice is so dismal, that, as Pen- 
nant observes, it adds horror even to a Greenland winter. 
THE, WELT Ee, OR “BARN OW L,! 
THOUGH so common in Europe, is much rarer in the United States 
than the preceding; and is only found here during very severe win- 
ters. This may possibly be owing to the want of those favorite recesses in 
this part of the world, which it so much affeets in the Eastern Continent. 
The multitudes of old ruined towers, castles, monasteries, and cathedrals, 
that every where rise to view in those countries, are the chosen haunts of 
this well known species. Its savage cries at night give, with vulgar minds, 
a cast of supernatural horror to those venerable mouldering piles of anti 
quity. This species being common to both continents, doubtless extends to 
the arctic regions. 
They feed eagerly upon the meadow mouse, which is found in the mea- 
dows below Philadelphia, and on the marshes along the seashore. Another 
favorite prey of this owl is the bat. 
aS SS 
1 Strix flammea, Lin. 
