GREAT HORNED OWL 159 



is about to descend upon it, then spreading the tail 

 feathers over its back so that the Owl slides off the 

 slippery surface and the Turkey has time to escape 

 before a second attack can be made. 



During the day this Owl flaps helplessly about in 

 the cover of the woods, endeavouring to conceal itself 

 from its enemies, but at dusk it emerges and stares 

 about with its magnificent yellow eyes opened to the 

 widest extent. Its sight then is remarkably keen, the 

 tiniest mouse being seen at a great distance and 

 silently pounced upon. The claws of the Great 

 Horned Owl are extremely long and sharp, and the 

 grasp of the foot very powerful. This Owl shows 

 great preference for the flesh of the skunk, almost 

 every specimen captured reeking with the nauseating 

 odour of that animal. The long talons are driven into 

 the vitals, and the victim is quickly despatched. 



In this species the ear-tufts are greatly developed, 

 and are raised several inches above the side of the head, 

 giving the singular horned appearance. In colour 

 individuals vary considerably, but in general they are 

 different shades of buff and brown, splotched and 

 striped in a confused pattern. This intermingling of 

 colours is of great service in concealing the bird from 

 view, and when seated in an upright position on the 

 stump of a dead tree, it is almost identical in tone and 

 therefore practically invisible. 



The Great Eagle-Owl of Europe differs but little 

 from the Great Horned Qwl of this country. See 

 Plate 5, Fig. 18. 



The voice of the Great Horned Owl is loud and 

 startling. Mr. Chapman describes it as "a loud, deep- 



