THE GREAT HORNED OWL. 145 



The food of the Great Horned Owl consists chiefly of the larger species of 

 gallinaceous birds, half-grown Wild Turkeys, Pheasants, and domestic poul- 

 try of all kinds, together with several species of Ducks. Hares, young 

 Opossums and Squirrels are equally agreeable to it, and whenever chance 

 throws a dead fish on the shore, the Great Owl feeds with peculiar avidity 

 on it. 



It is one of the most common species along the shores of the Ohio and 

 Mississippi, where it is to be met with at all seasons, being fond of roosting 

 amongst the thick-growing young cotton-wood trees and willows, that cover 

 the muddy sand-bars of these noble streams, as well as in the more retired 

 woody swamps, where the gloomy cypress spreads its broad arms, covered 

 with dangling masses of Spanish beard, which give way to the gentlest 

 breeze. In both such situations I have frequently met with this Owl: its 

 body erect, its plumage closed, its tufted head-feathers partially lowered, and 

 its head half turned and resting on orte shoulder. 



When the sun shines brightly, the bird is easily approached; but if the 

 weather be cloudy, it rises on its feet, at the least noise, erects the tufts of 

 its head, gives a knowing kind of nod, flies off in an instant, and generally 

 proceeds to such a distance that it is difficult to find it again. When disturbed 

 while at roost on willows near a river, it sails off low over the stream, as if 

 aware that by so doing it renders its pursuit more difficult. I once nearly 

 lost my life by going towards one that I had shot on a willow-bar, for, while 

 running up to the spot, I suddenly found myself sunk in quicksand up to 

 my arm-pits, and in this condition must have remained to perish, had not 

 my boatmen come up and extricated me, by forming a bridge of their oars 

 and some driftwood, during which operation I had to remain perfectly quiet, 

 as any struggle would soon have caused me to sink overhead. 



Early in February the Great Horned Owls are seen to pair. The curious 

 evolutions of the male in the air, or his motions when he has alighted near 

 his beloved, it is impossible to describe. His bowings, and the snappings of 

 his bill, are extremely ludicrous; and no sooner is the female assured that 

 the attentions paid her by the beau are the result of a sincere affection, than 

 she joins in the motions of her future mate. 



The nest, which is very bulky, is usually fixed on a large horizontal 

 branch, not far from the trunk of the tree. It is composed externally of 

 crooked sticks, and is lined with coarse grasses and some feathers. The 

 whole measures nearly three feet in diameter. The eggs, which are from 

 three to six, are almost globular in form, and of a dull white colour. The 

 male assists the female in sitting on the eggs. Only one brood is raised in 

 the season. The young remain in the nest until fully fledged, and afterwards 

 follow the parents for a considerable time, uttering a mournful sound, to 



Vol. I. 22 



