MOTTLED OWL. 
141 
ment of cold weather; frequenting the uplands and mountainous 
districts, in preference to the lower parts of the country; and 
feeding on mice, small birds, beetles, and crickets. It is rather 
a scarce species in Pennsylvania; flies usually in the early part 
of night and morning; and is sometimes observed sitting on the 
fences during day, when it is easily caught; its vision at that time 
being very imperfect. 
The bird represented in the plate was taken in this situation, 
and presented to me by a friend. I kept it in the room beside 
me for some time; during which its usual position was such as 
I have given it. Its eyelids were either half shut, or slowly and 
alternately opening and shutting, as if suffering from the glare 
of day; but no sooner was the sun set, than its whole appearance 
became lively and animated; its full and globular eyes shone 
like those of a cat; and it often lowered its head, in the manner 
of a cock when preparing to fight, moving it from side to side, 
and also vertically, as if reconnoitring you with great sharpness. 
In flying through the room, it shifted from place to place with 
the silence of a spirit, (if I may be allowed the expression,) the 
plumage of its wings being so extremely fine and soft as to oc- 
casion little or no friction with the air: a wise provision of na- 
ture, bestowed on the whole genus, to enable them, without 
giving alarm, to seize their prey in the night. For an hour or 
two in the evening, and about break of day, it flew about with 
great activity. When angry, it snapped its bill repeatedly with 
violence, and so loud as to be heard in the adjoining room, 
swelling out its eyes to their full dimensions, and lowering its 
head as before described. It swallowed its food hastily, in large 
mouthfuls; and never was observed to drink. Of the eggs and 
nest of this species I am unable to speak. 
The Mottled Owl is ten inches long, and twenty-two in ex- 
tent; the upper part of the head, the back, ears and lesser wing- 
coverts, are dark brown, streaked and variegated with black, 
pale brown, and ash; wings lighter, the greater coverts and 
primaries spotted with white; tail short, even, and mottled with 
black, pale brown, and whitish, on a dark brown ground; its 
