272 
SCOPS ASIO. 
as if completely dazed, but really they are only badly frightened, then instead of flying, 
trust to their motionless attitudes for concealment and, in nine cases out of ten, this ruse 
is probably successful. 
The fact that these Owls sit with half-closed eyes, has quite likely given rise to the 
idea that they cannot see in the day-time but, as I have already stated, they do see remarka¬ 
bly well. It was only yesterday that I saw another stricking proof of this given by Scopsie; 
he had flown on the sash of an open window near which I was standing and the instant he 
alighted, he gave the peculiar croak of alarm of which I have spoken in the preceding pag¬ 
es. I instantly stepped to the window to see what attracted his attention but, although 
I readily noted the direction of his gaze, could not make out the cause of his alarm until 
a Crow flew from a tree so far away that it appeared very small and, had I not been looking 
in that exact spot, I should not have observed it. But still the Owl saw it and, when it 
started, croaked loudly, following it with his eyes until it went quite out of sight. I have 
elsewhere noted the fact that this Owl can discern insects when they are upon the floor; 
he is also fond of watching small birds among the foliage and will follow the flight of Swal¬ 
lows, both far and near; in short, Scopsie exhibits . every indication of being able to see 
perfectly in daylight. The experiment, to which allusion is so often made by writers up¬ 
on Owls, that of almost touching the eyeball with the finger or any other object in order 
to make the bird wink, judging, if it does not, that it is incapable of seeing, is far from 
being a decisive test as Hawks and other birds have the same habit. 
The notes of the Mottled Owls are very interesting and they have a greater variety 
than one would suppose who has not kept them in confinement. The alarm note is, as re¬ 
lated, a kind pf croak but is quite melodious and is given high or low, depending upon the 
proximity of the object which frightens the bird. Thus, for example, let Scopsie see a 
cow in a distant field and he will sound his note of alarm very low but, when a cat or dog 
enters the room where he is, he will stand erect and give the cry very loudly; then, when 
frantic with terror, as he has been on one or two occasions, he' will dash around the apart¬ 
ment, fairly screaming with fright. Another change in this note is made when, although 
frightened, he concludes to stand up for his rights; then he will advance slowly toward the 
animal which he dislikes, half spreading his wings and ruffling his feathers, until he ap¬ 
pears'nearly twice his usual size; when quite near, he will bow his head, at the same time 
uttering a croak that is not only loud, but considerably prolonged. This has such a pecu¬ 
liar intonation and is so unlike any sound which is ordinarily heard that it seems to have 
the required effect and I have seen a cat terrified beyond description upon hearing it. 
Another of Scopsie’s notes, or rather a series of them, indicates anger or dislike, for 
when a stranger approaches his box, especially if he be sitting outside of it, he will raise 
his ear tufts,.wink his eyes slowly, at the same time uttering a rattling, guttural sound. 
This is merely indicative of antipathy, for when handled by any one whom he does not 
fancy, he will give the same sound, much louder and in a higher key, frequently ending 
in a kind of scream. These demonstrations of hostility are accompanied by a violent snap¬ 
ping of the bill, especially when he is attacking another Owl, for I am sorry to say that 
Scopsie is not of a very friendly disposition regarding his own species, and will not hesitate 
