THE VIRGINIAN EAGLE-OWL. 



BlBO VlRGIMAiyi'S. Cuv. 



The Virginian, or, as it might with greater propriety 

 be termed, the American Eagle-Owl, is spread over the 

 whole of the western hemisphere from Hudson's Bay 

 to the Straits of Magellan. In the United States, 

 where it is very common, it is said by Wilson to be a 

 constant resident, taking up its abode in the dark soli- 

 tude of deep swamps covered with a growth of gigantic 

 timber, and building in the forks or hollows of the 

 trees. Its nest is similar to that of the foreo-oino- 

 species, and the female lays once a year ft)ur eggs of 

 a pure white, almost globular, and nearly as large as 

 those of a hen. It is never seen abroad during the day, 

 unless when disturbed, but preys in the twilight upon 

 young rabbits, squirrels, mice, partridges, and small 

 birds of various kinds, and sometimes even ventures 



