OF AN ORNITHOLOGIST, 41 
tive in Europe, the Peregrine, is known to have a partic- 
ular relish for the flesh of other hawks, and to hunt the 
poor Kestril as its most dainty game. 
The well known +‘ Red-tail,” ( Buteo borealis Gm.) from 
his retreat in the forest, sometimes makes sudden forays 
on the poultry. Several kinds of large and sluggish hawks 
silently await in the open meadows the appearance of 
their minute but favorite game, the field mice, and the 
Marsh Harrier (Circus Hudsonius Vieill.) anon skims rap- 
idly over the snowy fields in eager quest of food. But 
the most beautiful, when in mature plumage, as well as ` 
the largest of our winter birds of prey, is the historical 
White-headed, or Bald Eagle (Halietus leucocephalus 
Savig.), most inappropriately chosen for our national: 
emblem. The Golden Eagle (Aguila Canadensis Cass.), 
a far nobler bird, is perhaps almost too uncertain a visitor 
to warrant enumeration in our list. 
The Strigide, or Owls, the «< mysterious birds of night” 
are even less common than the preceding group, though in 
winter the number of species is increased by migrants 
from the north. The resident kinds of most frequent oc- 
currence are the Mottled Owl, (Scops asio Bon.) perhaps 
better known as the «Screech Owl ”, the Great Horned 
or Cat Owl (Bubo Virginianus Bon.), the Barred Owl 
(Syrnium nebulosum Gray), the Short-eared Owl (Bra- 
chyotus Cassinii Brew.), and the Long-eared Owl (Otus 
Wilsonianus Less.) Of the migratory species the most 
common and best known is the Snowy Owl (Nyctea nivea- 
Gray) which visiting us, at times, in considerable num- 
bers, at once attracts attention from its large size and. 
white plumage. Very rarely the Great Grey or Cinereous 
Owl (Syrnium cinereum Aud.), one of the. largest and. 
most handsome of the American Owls, pays us a visit. 
AMERICAN NAT. VOL. I. 6 
