GREAT HORNED OWL. 315 



whenever chance throws a dead fish on the shore, the Great Owl feeds 

 with pecuhar avidity on it. 



It is one of the most common species along the shores of the Ohio 

 and Mississippi, where it is to be met with at all seasons, being fond of 

 roosting amongst the thick-growing young cotton- wood trees and willows, 

 that cover the muddy sand-bars of these noble streams, as well as in the 

 more retired woody swamps, where the gloomy cypress spreads its broad 

 arms, covered with dangling masses of Spanish beard, which give way 

 to the gentlest breeze. In both such situations I have frequently met 

 with this owl : its body erect, its plumage closed, its tufted head-feathers 

 partially lowered, and its head half turned and resting on one shoul- 

 der. 



When the sun shines brightly, the bird is easily approached ; but if 

 the weather be cloudy, it rises on its feet, at the least noise, erects the 

 tufts of its head, gives a knowing kind of nod, flies off in an instant, 

 and generally proceeds to such a distance that it is difficult to find it 

 again. When disturbed while at roost on willows near a river, it sails 

 off low over the stream, as if aware that by so doing it renders its pur- 

 suit more difficult. I once nearly lost my life by going towards one that 

 I had shot on a willow-bar, for, while running up to the spot, I suddenly 

 found myself sunk in quicksand up to my arm-pits, and in this condi- 

 tion must have remained to perish, had not my boatmen come up and 

 extricated me, by forming a bridge of their oars and some driftwood, 

 -during which operation I had to remain perfectly quiet, as any struggle 

 would soon have caused me to sink overhead. 



I have related this occurrence to you, kind reader, — and it is only 

 one out of many, — to shew you that every student of nature must en- 

 counter some difficulties in obtaining the objects of his research, although 

 these difficidties are little thought of when he has succeeded. So much 

 is this the case with me, that, could I renew the lease of my life, I could 

 not desire to spend it in any other pursuit than that which has at last 

 enabled me to lay before you an account of the habits of our birds. 



Early in February the Great Horned Owls are seen to pair. The 

 curious evolutions of the male in the air, or his motions when he has 

 alighted near his beloved, it is impossible to describe. His bowings, and 

 the snappings of his bill, are extremely ludicrous ; and no sooner is the 

 female assured that the attentions paid her by the beau are the result of a 

 sincere affection, than she joins in the motions of her future mate. At this 



