6 



THE BAY STATE OOLOGIST. 



cies cannot be distinguished : but the 

 can idle ae byi determined from the 

 nest and its species location. 



Trailli, on being robbed of its nest, 

 will immediately construct another a 

 short distance from the first ; have 

 known them to build as many as four 

 nests, the others being taken. I can- 

 not say whether this is true of Acadicus 

 or not ; but know of one pair that built 

 the second nest on losing the first. 



The Great Horned Owl. 



Bubo Virginianus. 



BY ALBERT G. PRILL, ROCHESTER, N. Y. 



This specie is one of the largest of 

 its family. Its size varies somewhat, 

 though generalv about 2 feet in length, 

 and spread of wings from 36 to 48 

 inches. 



Its color is a variegation of blackish, 

 marked with dark and light brown. 

 Wt 11 marked specimens have a white 

 collar, although in some it does not ex- 

 tend entirely around the neck. 



This powerful bird, only yielding to 

 the Great Grey Owl in size, and to none 

 in spirit, inhabits North America at 

 large. f 



Its haunts are dark and deep woods, 

 it being seldom seen during the day, 

 but coming forth in the night in search 

 of food. 



It bqilds its nest in some hollow 

 stump or tree, or else constructs one 

 of some limbs and sticks in some high 

 tree. It also occupies old nests of the 

 Hawk and Crow. 



When seen during the day, this bird 

 is sure to draw a large audience. Birds 

 of every description will flock together 

 to drive their enemy away. 



And here, let me say, is where the 

 Taxidermist takes advantange. If he 

 can secure an Owl, he is sure of plenty 

 of specimens for his art ; for by taking 



an Owl and securing it to some limb, 

 and then covering the adjacent limbs 

 with bird lime, any quantity of birds 

 may be obtained. 



This Owl is a somewhat abundant 

 specie here, though its nest is hard to 

 find. Last February I found a nest of 

 this specie in rather a queer way, I 

 had been out all day looking for Owls' 

 nests, but with no success, and as even- 

 ing approached, I retraced my steps 

 homeward. I had just entered a light 

 piece of woods, and feeling somewhat 

 tired, I concluded to rest a few min- 

 utes, and so seated myself on a log. I 

 was disturbed by a slight noise over- 

 head, and on looking up, saw a large 

 Great Horned Owl directly above me. 

 He watched me closely, and on my 

 getting up, flew to another tree, and 

 from there to a deep wood, only a short 

 distance away. I thought I would fol- 

 low, to see if I could not get another 

 sight at him, and sure enough, I did. 

 Seated on a moderately high stub of 

 a tree sat my Bubo. Near the top of 

 the stub I saw a large hole, and it oc- 

 curred to me to investigate said hole. 



It was getting quite dark, and afte r 

 rapping on the tree and getting no re- 

 sponse, I climbed up. I at once thrust 

 my hand into the hole, but took it out 

 again just as quick, and following it 

 came an Owl. 



It was a surprise ; so much so that I 

 came near falling, but recovering my- 

 self, I put my hand in the hole again, 

 and this time, I brought out an egg, and 

 then another, 



They were two as beautiful eggs 

 as anyone could wish for. Spherical 

 in shape and white as snow. The rest 

 of the journey homeward was more eas- 

 ily accomplished, as you all know by 

 experience under similar circumstances. 

 Only a few months, and the season for 

 Owls eggs will again be at hand, and 

 with it will come all the memories of 

 the part, when on similar expeditions. 



