_Bubo virginianus virginianus. Case 1, Fig. 16_
Largest of the 'horned' Owls. L. 22.
_Range._ Western Hemisphere in many forms; our
form is confined to the eastern United States. A
Permanent Resident.
Washington, rare P.R. Ossining, tolerably common
P.R. Cambridge, uncommon, autumn or winter. N.
Ohio, rare P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R.
The Great Horned Owl retreats before the civilization that destroys the
forests in which it lives. In thinly settled regions its deep-toned,
monotone, _whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo, whooo, whooo_ is still a characteristic
bird voice, but most of us hear it only when we camp in the wilderness.
The bird's fierce nature has won for it the name of "tiger among birds."
Rabbits, skunks, game birds and smaller prey form its fare. The 2-3
white eggs are laid in an abandoned Hawk, Crow, or squirrel nest in
February; it is the first of our northern birds to nest.