GREAT HORNED OWL. 2 6$ 



constantly wear a white mantle, and have a great owl skin 

 cased and stuffed very ingeniously, so well executed as almost 

 to appear like the living bird, having large sparkling glass 

 beads or buttons fixed in the head for eyes. This insignia 

 of wisdom and divination they wear sometimes as a crest on 

 the top of the head, at other times the image sits on the arm, 

 or is borne on the hand. These bachelors are also distinguished 

 from the other people by their taciturnity, grave and solemn 

 countenance, dignified step, and singing to themselves songs 

 or hymns in a low, sweet voice, as they stroll about the town. 



Nothing is a more effectual cure for superstition than a 

 knowledge of the general laws and productions of nature, nor 

 more forcibly leads our reflections to the first, great, self- 

 existent Cause of all, to whom our reverential awe is then 

 humbly devoted, and not to any of His dependent creatures. 

 With all the gloomy habits and ungracious tones of the owl, 

 there is nothing in this bird supernatural or mysterious, or 

 more than that of a simple bird of prey, formed for feeding by 

 night, like many other animals, and of reposing by day. The 

 harshness of its voice, occasioned by the width and capacity of 

 its throat, may be intended by Heaven as an alarm and warning 

 to the birds and animals on which it preys to secure themselves 

 from danger. The voices of all carnivorous birds and animals 

 are also observed to be harsh and hideous, probably for this 

 very purpose. 



The great horned owl is not migratory, but remains with 

 us the whole year. During the day he slumbers in the thick 

 evergreens of deep swamps, or seeks shelter in large hollow 

 trees. He is very rarely seen abroad by day, and never but 

 when disturbed. In the month of May they usually begin to 

 build. The nest is generally placed in the fork of a tall tree, 

 and is constructed of sticks piled in considerable quantities, 

 lined with dry leaves and a few feathers. Sometimes they 

 choose a hollow tree ; and in that case carry in but few mate- 

 rials. The female lays four eggs, nearly as large as those of 

 a hen, almost globular, and of a pure white. In one of these 



