THE GREAT HORNED OWL. 
145 
The food of the Great Horned Owl consists chiefly of the larger species 
of gallinaceous birds, half-grown Wild Turkeys, Pheasants, and domestic 
poultry of all kinds, together with several species of Ducks. Hares, young 
Opossums and Squirrels are equally agreeable to it, and whenever chance 
throws a dead fish on the shore, the Great Owl feeds with peculiar>.avidity 
on it. 
It is one of the most common species along the shores of the Ohio and 
Mississippi, where it is to be met with at all seasons,. being fond of roosting 
amongst the thick-growing young cotton-wood trees and willows that cover 
the muddy sand bars of these noble streams, as well as in the more retired 
woody swamps, where the gloomy cypress spreads its broad arms, covered 
with dangling masses of Spanish beard, which give way to^ the gentlest 
breeze. In both such situations I have frequently met with this Owl : its 
body erect, its plumage closed, its tufted head-feathers partially lowered, 
and its head half-turned and resting on one shoulder. 
When the sun shines brightly, the bird is easily approached ; but if the 
weather be cloudy, it rises on its feet, at the least noise, erects the tufts 
of its head, gives a knowing kind of nod, flies off in an instant, and gene- 
rally proceeds to such a distance that it is difficult to find it again. When 
disturbed whilst at roost on willows near a river, it sails off low over the 
stream, as if aware that by so doing it renders ifes pursuit more difficult. 
I once nearly lost my life by going towards one that I had shot on a willow- 
bar, for, while running up to the spot, I suddenly found myself sunk in quick- 
sand up to my arm-pits, and in this condition must have remained to perish, 
had not my boatmen come up and extricated me, by forming a bridge of their 
oars and some drift-wood, during which operation I had to remain per- 
fectly quiet, as any struggle. would soon have caused me to sink overhead. 
Early in February the Great Horned Owls are seen to pair. The curious 
evolutions of the male in the air, or his motions when he has alighted near 
his beloved, it is impossible to describe. His bowings, and the snappings 
of his bill, are extremely ludicrous ; and no sooner is the female assured 
that the attentions paid her by the beau are the result of a sincere affec- 
tion, than she joins in the motions of her future mate. 
The nest, which is very bulky, is usually fixed on a large horizontal 
branch, not far from the- trunk of the tree. It is composed externally of 
crooked sticks, and is lined with coarse grasses and some feathers. '/ The 
whole measures nearly three feet in diameter. The eggs, which are from 
three to six, are almost globular in form, and of a dull white colour. The 
male assists the female in sitting on the eggs. Only one brood is raised in 
the season. The young remain in the nest until fully fledged, and afterwards 
follow the parents for a considerable time, uttering a mournful sound, to 
Vol. I. 22 
