MOTTLED OWL. 
309 
regions, arriving here with several others, about the com- 
mencement 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 some- 
times 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 occasion little or no friction with 
the air, — a wise provision of Nature, 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 
extent ; 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 
