6752 



Birds. 



in mind that the far-famed mocking bird, together with many a song- 

 ster that charmed the enthusiastic ornithologist of the West (whose 

 early impressions of his native warblers must have been well-nigh 

 obliterated) are never met with north of St. Lawrence. 



In returning to the town by the lower road which skirts the lake, 

 blueeyed warblers (like our willow wrens) may be seen flitting among 

 the branches of the lofty poplars (probably planted by the early 

 French settlers, as many of them are now falling into decay), and a 

 few gulls and terns may be observed soaring over the water or 

 reposing on its surface. 



H. W. Hadfield. 



Lossiemouth, Elgin, N.B. 



Note on the Habits of the Longcared Owl (Slrix otus). — Having paid successful 

 attention to this species for the last two years, I am in a position to state several facts 

 which I believe are Utile kown. Large, sombre and retired woods, in which the various 

 species of evergreen fir are freely interspersed, are the favourite haunts of the long- 

 eared owl. When a pair are in possession of such a wood they seldom leave it per- 

 manently, unless driven by some very powerful cause. They spend the day in sleep, 

 and come forth at dusk to search for prey. An evergreen fir, where such is available, 

 is the most esteemed roosting place. They perch in an erect position ; and when on 

 one of the larger limbs of a tree of this description they sometimes get so close to the 

 bole that an ordinary observer would mistake them for a crooked or enlarged portion, 

 so nearly do they approximate it in colour. Occasionally, also, the thick stem of an 

 old gorse bush will be selected as a roost. The same dormitory is seldom resorted to 

 for more than a few days consecutively. Their hearing is so acute that even a very 

 stealthy approach will awake them. I have endeavoured to form an intimate 

 acquaintance with them, but without success. From whatever point I tried to ob- 

 serve them, the head always turned and the eyes were towards me. Generally they 

 are wary, and will fly as an unwelcome intruder advances. When disturbed, the 

 tufts on the head are raised, and maintained in that position while the cause con- 

 tinues. The food of the longeared owls consists of mice, with an occasional finch. I 

 have not known anything larger to be taken. With regard to the way in which they 

 capture birds, an observant and trustworthy countryman told me that he had watched 

 them flying about trees and bushes, and following the course of their branches, at 

 dusk ; his idea being that they were looking for birds, though he never saw them 

 catch any. I have not seen this movement, but believe the man's statement, and 

 think it original. This owl is seldom its own architect, but generally selects and 

 repairs the old nest of a hawk, magpie or wood pigeon. The only instance within 

 my knowledge in which a pair may have built their own was in last spring. I dis- 

 covered three or four young ones, still unable to fly, scattered at short distances in a 

 place where no nest large enough to contain them could be found. Dead bracken 

 was in profusion everywhere about, and gorse and small black firs were growing up 

 and down. Now, I think these birds must have been reared on a prepared bed of 



