MOTTLED OWL. 



309 



The owl now before us is chiefly a native of the northern 

 regions, arriving here with several others about the com- 

 mencement of cold weather; frequenting the uplands and 

 mountainous districts in preference to the lower parts of 

 the country, and feeding on mice, small birds, beetles, and 

 crickets. It is rather a scarce species in Pennsylvania ; 

 flies usually in the early part of night and morning ; and is 

 sometimes observed sitting on the fences during day, when 

 it is easily caught, its vision at that time being very im- 

 perfect. 



The bird represented in the plate was taken in this situa- 

 tion, and presented to me by a friend. I kept it in the room 

 beside me for some time, during which its usual position was 

 such as I have given it Its eyelids were either half shut, or 

 slowly and alternately opening and shutting, as if suffering 

 from the glare of day ; but no sooner was the sun set than its 

 whole appearance became lively and animated; its full and 

 globular eyes shone like those of a cat ; and it often lowered 

 its head in the manner of a cock when preparing to fight, 

 moving it from side to side, and also vertically, as if recon- 

 noitring you with great sharpness. In flying through the 

 room, it shifted from place to place with the silence of a 

 spirit (if I may be allowed the expression), the plumage of 

 its wings being so extremely fine and soft as to occasion little 

 or no friction with the air, — a wise provision of Nature, be- 

 stowed on the whole genus, to enable them, without giving 

 alarm, to seize their prey in the night. For an hour or two 

 in the evening, and about break of day, it flew about with 

 great activity. When angry, it snapped its bill repeatedly 

 with violence, and so loud as to be heard in the adjoining 

 room, swelling out its eyes to their full dimensions, and 

 lowering its head as before described. It swallowed its food 

 hastily, in large mouthfuls ; and never was observed to 

 drink. Of the eggs and nest of this species, I am unable to 

 speak. 



The mottled owl is ten inches long, and twenty-two in 



