are generally seen accompanied by a flock of teasing 

 crows. It is usual to hear the "hoot" of the Owls just 

 before dusk, indicating that they are then becoming 

 active. At a distance this sounds like a deep toned 

 distant locomotive or fog-horn, but nearby as I have 

 heard it, within 40 or 50 j^ards, it is a distinct trill. 



The nest measures about two or three feet in height 

 or depth, three feet across, and is made entirely of 

 sticks in any sort of crotch — sometimes a much small- 

 er one than a large hawk would select. It is always 

 where it commands a good outlook; either the tree is 

 one of the tallest in the woods and the crotch very 

 high, or as is more common the situation is on a ridge 

 or steep side hill on the edge of the woods. The cavity 

 is about 18 inches in diameter and 7 inches deep and 

 is lined with strips and pieces of bark, some feathers 

 or even chestnut burrs, prickly side up! 



The period of incubation is about one month. It 

 is quite wonderful how the eggs can be incubated in 

 such a situation during our most severe winter month 

 — for even if the upper part of the egg is kept warm, 

 the bottom must be much exposed to the cold. The 

 albumen of the egg is, however, very thick, in fact it 

 could hardly be called a liquid, and perhaps it requires 

 only a low temperature to hatch. Of four nests of 

 eggs which have hatched I have not known an egg to 

 fail and the old bird when driven from the nest is in 

 no hurry to return even in the coldest weather. 



The three pairs of birds that I studied were each 

 finally driven from its chosen woods by the steam saw 

 mill and thus ended my experiences with the Great 

 Horned Owl near Bernardsville. 



13 



