110 Grundtvig—On the Birds of Shiocton , Wisconsin. 
owl was the murderer. There had been a hard struggle. Many 
owl feathers lay on the floor. One of the duck’s feet was raised 
as if it had tried to unfasten the owl from its neck. The 
owl had entered the barn through a hole that was not much 
larger than the bird. This does not agree with what King 
writes: “Its small size renders it harmless to poultry, except 
when young. ” January 20 an owl of this species was caught 
in a barn south of the railway. 
66. Bubo virginianus (G-mel.). x M. of 2 (N.). L. 557-575. 
W. 393. T. 219. Is most abundant in winter, when the air re¬ 
sounds all night long with its hideous cry. Nests in many 
places in the Daily Beat. B. virginianus subarcticus (Hoy) is 
a western bird which is occasionally seen in Wisconsin (C. L.). 
67. Nyctea nivea (Linn.). XXX In Oct., 1881, several were 
seen. The water was then very high and the ducks extremely 
numerous. The owls appeared to follow these. Oct. 23 two 
were seen in company near the house. The day after one was 
shot near Shioc River. L. 612. In Oct., 1883, one was shot 
near Wolf River, 12 miles north of the house. 
Surnia ulula caparoch (Mull.) is a winter visitor in Wiscon¬ 
sin. 
68. Coccyzus americanus (Linn.), xx M. (N.) $ (2). L. 
277-3041. W. 133-144. T. 144-157. In 1882 I shot one 
May 29. Was not seen earlier. Afterwards frequently seen. 
At least two pairs built in the vicinity of our house, one on the 
peninsula between the rivers, the other in one of the old beds 
of Wolf River just east of the German Farms. A single one was 
shot in Shioc Meadows as late as Oct. 17. In 1883 it was not 
noticed. King has seen this species in Wisconsin only once. 
Cooke thinks he has seen both cuckoos without being able to 
distinguish them. They are easy to distinguish even at a long 
distance. 
69. Coccyzus erytkropMhalmus (Wils.). xx M. of 6. (N.) 
L. 279-311. W. 129-144. T. 144-169. B. 24. Bred at Shiocton 
in very large numbers in 1882. In 1883 it was far different. 
Only a few nests were observed. The chief reason, perhaps, 
was that more than half the nests in 1882 were robbed by 
snakes and squirrels. The squirrels are the worst robbers of 
