241
*
1897. 
Sept. 11
(No 4)
Lake Umbagog.
Outlet Marshes
  But the most interesting experience of the evening
was with the Owls. They seemed to [be] unusually active
and noisy. We heard at least three Great-horned,
two hooting in responses near the entrance to Leonard's
Pond, the third in the direction of Moose Point.
A fourth (or perhaps it was one of the two at Leonard's
Pond for it came from that quarter) passed us
within 100 yds. flying low and steadily but very
swiftly out over the Lake towards Pine Point. It
flapped its wings most of the time but occasionally
skimmed on set wings for a few yards at a time.
It looked like a very large individual. Its flight
was strikingly unlike that of the Short-eared Owl
being, as I have just said, very swift and steady
and giving an impression of great momentum.
The bird did not seem to be hunting, nor did
the Black Ducks seem to be alarmed by its passage
across the marsh, although, as we learned a few
minutes later, it must have flown nearly over
the flock referred to above.
[margin]Great Horned
Owls[/margin]
  Soon after we had taken our station and not very
long after sunset a Short-eared Owl appeared over
the flooded marshes at a height, I should say, of
at least 1000 ft. or about that at which Canada Geese
ordinarily fly when migrating. It looked scarce larger
than a Night-hawk and acted as if dazed flying
very slowly, at first in a great circle, afterwards
in wavy lines out over the Lake [delete]and out of[/delete] until
lost to sight towards B. Brook Point. This direction [delete]being towards the[/delete]
(nearly south) and the height at which the bird moved [delete]being[/delete]
[margin]Short-eared 
Owl
migrating
at evening[/margin]