64 BIRDS OF PREY. 



nizing and eager glance. When fed he often had the habit of 

 hiding away his superfluous provision. 



As far as I have been able to observe the retiring manners 

 of this recluse, he slumbers out the day chiefly in the dark tops 

 of lofty trees. In these, according to Wilson, he generally be- 

 gins to build in the month of May, though probably earlier in 

 the Southern States. The nest is usually placed in the fork of 

 a tree, made of a considerable pile of sticks, and lined with 

 dry leaves and some feathers ; and, as a saving of labor, somie- 

 times they select a hollow tree for the purpose. 



This Owl is usually found in woods of rather large growth; but 

 Nuttall slightly exaggerated in naming the " dark and impenetrable 

 swampy forest" as its "favorite resort." Throughout the Mari- 

 time Provinces it is found on the outskirts of settlements, as well 

 as in the wilderness. 



An interesting account of the habits of this species in captivity, 

 from the note-book of Mr. James W. Banks, of St. John, N. B., 

 appeared in "The Auk" for April, 1884. 



Note. — There are two geographical races of this species that 

 should be named here. The Dusky Horned Owl (B. virgi- 

 nianus saturatus), an extremely dark form, occurs in Labrador, and 

 is found also on the coast of the Northwest. The Western 

 Horned Owl {B. virginianus subarcticus), a light-gray form, is 

 usually restricted to the middle faunal province, but has been taken 

 in Illinois and Wisconsin. 



GREAT GRAY OWL. 



SCOTLAPTEX CINEREA. 



Char. Above, sooty brown mottled with irregular bars of dull gray ; 

 below, paler tints of same colors in wavy stripes. No ear-tufts. The 

 largest of the Owls. Length. 23 to 30 inches. 



Nest. In a tree. 



Eggs. 2-3; white; 2.15 X 1.70. 



This is the largest American species known, and if the S. 

 lapponica, common also to the Arctic circle, and seldom leav- 

 ing it, being only accidental about Lake Superior, and occa- 



