64 
BIRDS OF PREY. 
nizing and eager glance. When fed he often had the habit of 
hiding away his superfluous provision. 
As far as I have been able to observe the retiring manners 
of this recluse, he slumbers out the day chiefly in the dark tops 
of lofty trees. In these, according to W'ilson, he generally be- 
gins to build in the month of May, though probably earlier in 
the Southern States. The nest is usually placed in the fork of 
a tree, made of a considerable pile of sticks, and lined with 
dry leaves and some feathers ; and, as a saving of labor, some- 
times they select a hollow tree for the purpose. 
This Owl is usually found in woods of rather large growth ; but 
Nuttall slightly exaggerated in naming the “ dark and impenetrable 
swampy forest” as its “favorite resort.” Throughout the Mari- 
time Provinces it is found on the outskirts of settlements, as well 
as in the wilderness. 
An interesting account of the habits of this species in captivity, 
from the note-book of Mr. James W. Banks, of St. John, N. B., 
appeared in “The Auk ” for April, 1884. 
Note. — There are two geographical races of this species that 
should be named here. The Dusky Horned Owl (. 5 . virgi- 
nianus satnratus), an extremely dark form, occurs in Labrador, and 
is found also on the coast of the Northwest. The Western 
Horned Owl (A. virginianus subarctiacs), a light-gray form, is 
usually restricted to the middle faunal province, but has been taken 
in Illinois and Wisconsin. 
GREAT GR.A.Y OWL. 
Ulula CINERE.4. 
Char. Above, sooty brown mottled with irregular bars of dull gray ; 
below, paler tints of same colors in wavy stripes. No ear-tufts. The 
largest of the Owls. Length, 23 to 30 inches. 
Nest. In a tree. 
Eggs. 2-3; white; 2.15 X 1.70. 
This is the largest American species known, and if the S. 
lapponica, common also to the Arctic circle, and seldom leav- 
ing it, being only accidental about Lake Superior, and occa- 
