94 cassell's book of birds. 



side reddish yellow, longitudinally striped with black ; the tufts behind the ears are black marked 

 with yellow, the throat is nearly white, and the wing and tail feathers streaked alternately with 

 brown and yellow ; the beak is deep blueish grey, and the scales upon the feet of a lighter shade 

 of the same hue ; the iris is rich golden yellow, encircled by a red line. The male and female 

 are alike in colour, but the young are yellower than the adults. Many slight variations are 

 observable in the plumage of such as inhabit different countries. This Uhu is found occasionally 

 throughout the whole of Europe and the northern parts of Asia, and is replaced in Africa by two 

 other species, viz. : — The Short-eared Uhu (Bubo ascalaphics) which inhabits t'ue north-eastern 

 provinces, and the Milk-white Uhu (Bubo Nycta'dos-lacteus), found in the central portions of that 

 continent ; there is also a North American species, known as the Virginian Uhu (Bubo Virginianus). 

 So closely do these birds resemble each other that one description will suffice for them all. Their 

 favourite haunts are mountainous districts and extensive forests, as in such situations they can lead 

 a quiet and retired life. It is not uncommon for a pair to remain for years upon the same spot, if 

 they are fortunate enough to escape the observation of man ; still they are occasionally met with, not 

 only living, but breeding in the vicinity of human habitations ; we ourselves found a couple that had 

 taken up their quarters and made their nest upon some fortifications near a large town. During the 

 day they remain quietly concealed in their holes, where they are scarcely distinguishable on account 

 of the sombre colour of their plumage, but though neither timid nor helpless in the daylight, instinct 

 has taught them to avoid encountering the sunshine, and it is only when evening has fully set in 

 that they sally forth to reconnoitre and seek their prey. So well do the feebler denizens of the forest 

 know what they have to expect from this dreaded enemy, that should one of them chance to espy 

 the Uhu as it crouches within its hole, a loud note of terror immediately conveys the appalling 

 intelligence to its companions, whose voices at once unite in giving the huge and murderous foe a 

 serenade that is neither harmonious nor complimentary. During the breeding season, combats 

 between the males are of frequent occurrence, and then it is that the ciy of the Uhu is heard in 

 all the unearthly tones that have been so often supposed to proceed from demons, or some of the 

 fanciful crowd of beings with which popular superstition has peopled the forests. Indeed, this 

 species may be truly accused of " making night hideous," as it flies in search of the rats and mice 

 upon which it principally subsists. " The favourite residence of the Virginian Horned Owl," says 

 Wilson, "is in the dark solitudes of deep swamps, covered with a growth of gigantic timber, and here, 

 as soon as evening draws on and mankind retire to rest, he sends forth such sounds as scarcely seem 

 to belong to this world. Along the mountainous shores of the Ohio, and amidst the deep forests of 

 Indiana, alone, and reposing in the woods, this ghostly watchman has frequently warned me of the 

 approach of danger, and amused me with his singular exclamations. Sometimes sweeping down and 

 around my fire, uttering a loud and sudden ' Waugh, O ! Waugh, O ! ' sufficient to have alarmed a 

 whole garrison. He has also other nocturnal solos, one of which very strikingly resembles the half- 

 suppressed screams of a person suffocating or throttled." 



Richardson gives the following instance of the terror this Uhu so frequently excites : — " A party 

 of Scotch Highlanders, in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company, happened in a winter journey 

 to encamp after nightfall in a dense clump of trees, whose dark and lofty stems, the growth of 

 centuries, gave a solemnity to the scene that strongly tended to excite the superstitious feelings of the 

 Highlanders. The effect was heightened by the discovery of a tomb which, with the natural taste 

 often exhibited by Indians, had been placed in this secluded spot. Our travellers, having finished 

 their supper, were trimming their fire preparatory to rest, when the slow and dismal notes of the 

 Homed Owl fell on the ear with a startling nearness. None ol them being acquainted with the 

 sound, all thought that so unearthly a voice must be the moaning of the spirit of the departed, whose 



