BIRDS OF NEW YORK STATE 71 



Owl, Great Horned (Bubo virginianus virginianus) 



A permanent resident throughout New York, though no longer 

 common except in wooded districts. It is nocturnal in its habits. 

 The best authorities grant that this bird feeds upon domestic 

 fowls from time to time. However, the great amount of its 

 food is weasels, rats, mice, rabbits and skunks. Fowls that 

 are properly cared for are not usually destroyed by this night 

 prowler. It is usually the careless farmer who allows his poultry 

 to find roosting places anywhere that suffers from this bird. 



21-24 



Call no. 



Nu OwG Adult. (1905) 



It is probable that this bird was a captive when photographed. 



Nu OwGl Adult Threatening. (1905) 



As the bird was approached by the photographer, it showed a 

 fighting disposition. 



Nu OwG2 Nest with Two Eggs in Hollow of Tree. (March 1910) 



The eggs are laid as early as February usually in hollow trees 

 or deserted crow's nests. The growing scarcity of hollow trees 

 is one cause for the diminution of this bird. 



Nu OwG3 Nest with Two Eggs and One Young Bird in Crotch of 

 White Pine Tree, Rat and Bird for Food on Edge of 

 Nest. Cascadilla valley, Ithaca. (April 1, 1908) Allen 



This nest is 60 feet from the ground. Note that it is not in 

 the hollow of a tree. Note also the character of the food at the 

 nest. Find out how much such food a single bird catches in a 

 year. This bird is sometimes at least beneficial. When was 

 the picture made? 



Nu OwG4 Nesting Site in ClifT of Shale Rock. (1904) 

 An unusual nesting site. 



Nu OwGS Young Bird Posed on Top of Post. Geneseo. (April 27, 

 1908) Bailey 



The bird is just able to fly from one tree to another, but is 

 not able to take its own food. No tufts have yet appeared. 



