GREAT HORNED OWL, OR HOOT OWL 



Male and female alike but the latter is the larger. Upper 

 larts tawny, overlaid with, a mottling of black and white; the 

 ame mottling in broken bars on wings and tail ; ear-tufts two 

 nches long, black and tawny; white collar on throat; under 

 tarts white tinged with tawny and barred crosswise with black- 

 sh ; face tawny ; black border around facial disk ; bill and claws 

 ilack; eyes yellow with black mark over them. Length, 

 wenty-three inches. 



This is one of the largest Owls in our country and in 

 trength and courage it is unequaled by any other. It is a 

 lermanent resident in all Eastern North America. It breeds in 

 he late winter and early spring, making its nest in hollow trees 

 r appropriating the deserted nest of a Hawk or a Crow. 

 Lggs, two to three, white, 2.10 x 1.90 inches. The period of 

 ncubation is three weeks. 



By some the Great Homed Owl is called the Hoot Owl 

 ecause it often utters a deep-toned cry or hoot at night which 

 ounds like how 0! how O! hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! It preys 

 pon other birds, troublesome rodents and poultry. Its great 

 trength enables it to carry off full-groWn rabbits. Often it 

 /ill destroy more than it can consume, eating off the head only 

 nd leaving the body untouched. This would be a praise- 

 worthy habit if this Owl confined itself entirely to the pests of 

 griculture, but when it treats the farmer's fowls in the same 

 way, he naturally objects. 



Yet with its bad habits, this bird is not to be cast out as 

 Itogether unworthy of respect. Although it ranks as the most 

 estriictive of all the Owls, we should remember that it is 



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