158 



THE HAWKS AND OWLS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



The following species of mammals were positively identified among 

 the stomach contents : Scapanus americanus, Arvicola riparius, Blarina 

 brevicauda, and Sitomys americanus. 



Eichardson found a nest on May 23 which contained three young. It 

 was situated in a lofty balsam poplar and was composed of sticks, with 

 a lining of feathers. The nest found by Mr. McFarlane on July 19, on 

 the Anderson River, was placed in the top of a pine [spruce] about 20 

 feet from the ground and contained two eggs and two young. Prob- 

 ably the number of eggs in a set varies from three to five, and their 

 deposition usually takes place some time in April. 



Dr. Ball considers it a stupid bird and states that sometimes it may 

 be caught in the hands. Its great predilection for thick woods, in 

 which it dwells doubtless to the very limit of trees, prevents it from being 

 an inhabitant of the barren grounds or other open country in the 

 North. It is crepuscular or slightly nocturnal in the southern parts of 

 its range, but in the high North it pursues its prey in the daytime. 

 In the latter region, where the sun never passes below the horizon in 

 summer, it is undoubtedly necessity and not choice that prompts it to 

 be abroad in the daylight. 



It is stated that the flight is heavy and somewhat labored, and has 

 not the bouyancy noted in that of most of the Owls. This statement 

 may result from the point of view of the observer, for it does not seem 

 likely that its flight differs materially from that of the Barred Owl. 



The note of this Owl is said to be a tremulous, vibrating sound, some- 

 what resembling that of the Screech Owl. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Largest of our Owls. No ear tufts. Wing, 16 to 18 inches (406 to 

 456 mm ); bill, small, nearly hidden by feathers; eyes, yellow; general 

 color, dusky grayish brown and grayish white. 



Length: 25 to 30 inches (635 to 762 mm ); extent, 54 to 60 inches (1370 

 tol524 mm ); wing, 16 to 18 inches (406 to 456 mm ); tail, 11 to 12.5 inches 

 (280 to 317 mui ). 



Table showing 



the results of examinations of 9 stomachs of the Great 

 (Scotiaptex cinerea). 



Gray Owl 



Locality. 



Date. 



Poultry 



or game 



birds. 



Other birds. 



Mammals. 



Miscellaneous. 



Carberry, Manitoba... 

 Lake Nipissing, Can- 

 ada. 



Sept. 29, 1889 

 Oct. 29,1889 



Dec. 20, 1889 



Dec. 27,] 889 

 Jan. 29,1890 



Feb. 18, 1890 

 Mar. 8, 1890 



Fall, 1889 

 Jan. 5, 1890 















4 meadow mice, 

 1 shrew. 



Short-tailed 

 shrew. 



3 meadow mice . 



1 white-foo ted 

 mouse, 4 mead- 

 ow mice. 



5 meadow mice . 

 Brewer's mole, 



meadow mouse. 

 3 meadow mice . 











Snowbnnting. . . 











































Elk River, Minn .. 









Bo 









1 







Summary. — Of 9 stomachs examined, 1 contained a small bird; 7, mice; and 4, other mammals. 



