THE GREAT HORNED OWL. 
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or mysterious, or more than that of a simple bird of prey, 
formed for feeding by night, like many other animals, and of 
reposing by day. The harshness of its voice, occasioned by 
the width and capacity of its throat, may be intended by 
Heaven as an alarm and warning to the birds and animals 
on which it preys, to secure themselves from danger. The 
voices of all carnivorous birds and animals are also observed 
to be harsh and hideous, probably for this very purpose. 
The Great Horned Owl is not migratory, but remains 
with us the whole year. During the day he slumbers in 
the thick evergreens of deep swamps, or seeks shelter in 
large hollow trees. He is very rarely seen abroad by day, 
and never but when disturbed. In the month of May they 
usually begin to build. The nest is generally placed in the 
fork of a tall tree, and is constructed of sticks piled in con- 
siderable quantities, lined with dry leaves and a few feathers. 
Sometimes they choose a hollow tree ; and, in that case, 
carry in but few materials. The female lays four eggs, 
nearly as large as those of a hen^ almost globular, and of 
a pure white. In one of these nests, after the young had 
flown, were found the heads and bones of' two chickens, the 
legs and head of the golden-winged woodpecker, and part 
of the wings and feathers of several other birds. It is 
generally conjectured that they hatch but once in the 
season. 
According to all authorities, Owls have been regarded as 
objects of superstition ; and this has sometimes been taken 
