But most striking and characteristic of all was 
their flight. Absolutely noiseless and exquisitely easy 
and graceful, it was not less light and buoyant than that 
of the Short-eared Owl yet very much smoother and less 
erratic. Their wings also appeared broader and rounder 
than those of Asio accipitrinus . They reminded me strik¬ 
ingly of huge Moths as they skimmed about just over the 
tree tops, often turning back and going over the same 
ground again. They moved a great deal in circles of from 
twenty to thirty or forty yards in diameter. 
Whether circling or following straighter courses, 
they both invariably progressed by alternate flapping 
and sailing, first giving eight or ten slow but strong 
wing beats and then gliding ten to twenty yards on set 
wings. I do not know any other species of Owl which 
habitually does this or which circles over the ground while 
hunting. 
Altogether I had these interesting and beautiful 
creatures within a few yards of me for at least ten 
minutes. At the end of this time they flew off into the 
tall pines on Benson’s ridge, one following the other 
rather closely. A moment or two later the male came back 
and circled about the little meadow and pond by the 
causeway, following the line of trees closely. 
