BrirpDs OF PREY. 181 
The Great Gray Owl of the north is the largest 
of our owls. If it is seen at all in the United States, 
it is as a straggler during winter. Several have been 
recorded as captured in New England and in Penn- 
sylvania, and Dr. Wheaton mentions its occasional 
occurrence in Ohio. 
“At Hudson’s Bay and Labrador these owls reside the whole year, 
and were found in the Oregon Territory by Mr. Townsend. They 
associate in pairs, fly very low, and feed on mice and hares, which 
they seize with such muscular vigor as sometimes to sink into the 
snow after them a foot deep. With ease they are able to carry off 
the alpine hare alive in their talons. . . . It is common on the 
borders of Great Bear Lake, and there and in higher parallels of 
latitude it must pursue its prey during the summer months by day- 
light. It keeps, however, within the woods, and does not frequent 
the barren grounds like the Snowy Owl, nor is it so often met with 
in broad daylight as the Hawk-owl, but hunts principally when the 
sun is low.’”,—NUTTALL. 
The Acadian Owl is the smallest member of the 
family found with us. It is more nocturnal than 
many others of the family, and this, together with its 
size, renders its discovery difficult. 
In Central New Jersey this owl is not common, its 
place being filled by the little screech-owl; but I 
have found that there are a few in every locality 
where there is an extensive growth of cedars. They 
are so sensitive to light that they are never volun- 
tarily abroad at that time of day, and when insect- 
hunting after sunset they make no noise, and might 
readily pass for a whippoorwill. One that I found 
by accident in a cedar-tree remained in the neigh- 
borhood from October until the following August, 
so it can fairly be considered as a resident species. 
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