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tall monarch of the forest is generally selected. Why 

 does this owl become scarce with the increasing popula- 

 tion? 



Well, he does not seem wise enough to keep away 

 from traps set for his benefit. Another reason is that 

 every one who gets a chance to shoot one does so. 



His flight is remarkably powerful, easy, graceful and 

 noiseless, enabling him to pounce upon many an un- 

 suspecting partridge, rabbit, or other game. I once had 

 an opportunity to observe how enormously powerful his 

 grip is. I was walking along the edge of a swamp when 

 an owl of this species pounced upon a large weasel direct- 

 ly in front of me. 



The animals struggles weiv of a most violent nature, 

 lie bit, clawed, sprang into the air, and then rolled upon 

 the ground trying to rid himself of his feathered antago- 

 nist but in vain. At last I capped the climax by riddling 

 both' with' duck shot. 



This owl usually chooses those species of feathered or 

 furred creatures which man lias acknowledged to be fit 

 for the table. One night I shot at and wing-tipped a 

 large male which I brought home and kept for a pet for 

 some time. 



As his wing was broken and he could not fly I turned 

 him loose in the yard. The cat tried to make his ac- 

 quaintance, but after losing part of his ear and a good 



