180 
RED OWL. 
particularly towards the latter part of summer and autumn, 
near the farm-house. On clear moonlight nights, they answer 
each other from various parts of the fields or orchard ; roost 
during the day in thick evergreens, such as cedar, pine, or 
juniper trees, and are rarely seen abroad in sunshine. In 
May, they construct their nest in the hollow of a tree, often 
in the orchard in an old apple tree ; the nest is composed of 
some hay and a few feathers ; the eggs are four, pure white, 
and nearly round. The young are at first covered with a 
whitish down. 
The bird represented on the plate I kept for several weeks in 
the room beside me. It was caught in a barn, where it had taken 
up its lodging, probably for the greater convenience of mousing; 
and being unhurt, I had an opportunity of remarking its manners. 
At first, it struck itself so forcibly against the window, as 
frequently to deprive it, seemingly, of all sensation for several 
minutes : this was done so repeatedly, that I began to fear 
that either the glass or the Owl’s skull must give way. In a 
few days, however, it either began to comprehend something 
of the matter, or to take disgust at the glass, for it never 
repeated its attempts ; and soon became quite tame and 
familiar. Those who have seen this bird only in the day, can 
form but an imperfect idea of its activity, and even sprightli- 
ness, in its proper season of exercise. Throughout the day, 
it was all stillness and gravity, — its eyelids half shut, its neck 
contracted, and its head shrunk seemingly into its body ; but 
scarcely was the sun set, and twilight began to approach, when 
its eyes became full and sparkling, like two living globes of 
fire ; it crouched on its perch, reconnoitered every object 
around with looks of eager fierceness ; alighted and fed ; stood 
on the meat with clenched talons, while it tore it in morsels 
with its bill ; flew round the room with the silence of thought, 
and perching, moaned out its melancholy notes with many 
lively gesticulations, not at all accordant with the pitiful tone 
of its ditty, which reminded one of the shivering meanings of 
a half frozen puppy. 
