B angor , 
Maine . 
I saw at Crosby's three G reat Grey Owls , one of them in 
flesh. Also found that Mr. Merrill, of" Bangor had received two 
more, and a taxerdermist at Skowhegan( on the Kennebec) had two nor? 
making seven of these rare birds. Two of those Crosby had were a 
very dark blue-grey, if that term is allowable — almost a purplish 
shade. One had breast of one color, the other flecked with white 
streaks, one in flesh was much lighter. These were all sent in/to 
be mounted and could not be bought at any reasonable price. Mr. 
Merrill bought his. There was a curious incident connected with 
one of Crosby's. When the first was mounted Crosby bought a Rich- 
ardson's Qwl alive, of a boy who sawh it sitting in a fir bush 
close to a house in the city, holding an Ehglish sparrow in its 
claws(this proves that it hunts by day). He went up and took it in 
his hands. Mr, Crosby let it go in his work-room, where it flew 
around all day. There were on the shelves lots of Snowy, IhrasJ; 
Horned, jarred, Haw k , Lon g and S hort -earned, Screec h. Richards on's 
and A rca dian owls, besides lots of most kinds of our small birds, 
but only one Great Gr ay ...Owl . In the morning Mr. Crosby fount/, to 
his great disgust ( that the rascal had picked the head of the Gre at 
Grey almost bare, from eyes to neck. He estimates some 500 feath- 
ers picked out, all of which he had to replace singly, sticking 
them in place. — (Letter of Manly ftardy , Jan. 30, 1890.) 
