New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-24
A FIGHT FOR LIFE.
TWO OWLS LIVE .ON THE ANIMALS IN
RIVERSIDE PARK.

TWO OWLS Ii| Il 'O-\ llii- -N-NA"-N'''' ~
RIVERSIDE PARK.
Every winter n number o., large snowy owls
from the Northern regions stragsle down the
Hudson River and take UP their abode along
the Palisades nearly opposite one-hnndrel-dhd-
twenty-fifth-st. For five years now one or more
couple OF these handsome clrcumpolar birds have
been noticed in that region. seeking shelter IN the
holes and crevices Of the perpendicular rocks. and
watching for their food along the shores OF the
Hudson when free from ice. or seeking 1t inland
when closed up. Three winters ago flock OF
dozen were reported around the Palisades. but they
separated shortly for the same old couple were
soon In complete possession OF the place.
This winter the cold weather has been hard
on them. The Hudson has been closed mp so
much. especially along the shores. that fishing has
been pretty poor The two snowy Owls nave
worked hard to get enough OF their favorte food.
it looAs If they were 10 be disappointed.
Their diet now for two weeks has consisted a
most exclusively Of sparrows. snowbrds ana other
small flying creatures. and the couple have APP
parenty held many debates as 10 whether 1t
would not be advisable to go further South for
change and desert their old winter quarters In
fact, they few away one week and were gone
for nearly ten days. but they finally returned.
looking more detected than ever. Their tHp was
evidently unpleasant and ;hey were content to live
1t the Palisades.
The need OF food has lately driven them over TO
Riverside Park a number OF times. The upper
part OF Riverside greatly resembles wild woods
In the winter season. and many birds are met win
there. The fishermen along the New-Nork side OF
the river have also been In the habit OF cutting
holes IN the Ice to drop their lines through.
and the wary owls bright enough TO hang
around these holes when the fishermen are away.
Several times they were seen TO dive down mo
one OF the holes. breaking the thin Ice that had
formed and bringing up good size hsh IN their
claws
But one OF tho chief attractions for them IN
Riverside Park are the squirrels. For some reason
the large snowy owls regard squirrel meat as -
superior flavor TO bird snake food and In their
estimation 1t ranks next 10 a good perch pickerel
or trout. The presence Of squire! IN the woods
will make male or female wild with excitement
and they will leave other game to pursue one. But
the squirrels in this neighborhood are extremely
spry, and they can give an ordinary bird OF prey
a good chase. With two birds after the same
squirrel the question might be different.
An interesting contos; among the tree branches
o. Riverside Park occurred n few days ago. The
owls had been soaring over the river for hours
looking hopefully FOR choice bit Of food. and In
their disappointment they finally turned toward the
New-York shore TO IN up on plcbe.an sparrows
They had scarcely reached the rivers edge when
a bright little gray squirrel was discovered wh.sk-
ing along gracefully from tree 10 tree. The male
owl. evidently intent upon getting the whole Of
the choice morsel dartcd straight for the tree
without giving a warning note TO his companion
who was contemplatively watching flock Of
snowbrds.
The squirrel did not sec the approach o. the
white creature until the shadow OF his wings
darkoned Il patch on the tree. The owl was within
five feet of the squirrel then. but before the cruel
caws could rtrke the little creature had disap
pcarcd and was running around the tree below.
The owl followed. striking vclously at the tree,
ripping up the snow and bark from its surface.
The squirrel fully as agile and quick AS the
OWL and 1t around the tree in way that made
the owl dizzy Then suddenly dropping from its
nerch If shot straight toward the earth Ike
bullet The owl was after IT Immediately, plung-
ing downward with such velocity that he lost his
balance ard tinbled into the bushes with consider
able force. The squirrel had meanwhile started up
another tree. and calmly surveying his enemy
from Il high branch.
rho old owl NOW rose In wrath and began
ing softly around the head of the squirrel at "A
respectfl distance. The squirrel ana not IKE these
tactics so well. and lodged around so AZ l" Keep
the tree continually between them AS the Owl
made no attempts 20 approach nearer the squlflei
kent more and more into the open. and when
thrown off It's guard sufficiently the WHY bra
suddenly darted downward like lightning. It's
aim and flight had been so fierce thar the Saurrei
could rot get wholly out OF reach o. the terrible
ella Ms.
There was sudden squeal-the snort sharp
squeaI Of a gray squirrel when in distress. Inc
squirrel in It's talons, but the hold was Il very
uncertain and treachcrous one. The claws were
not sunk into the squirrels body' Du' '''o NV
long fluffy tail AS soon AS IT i0uhd ms',r '' mi
into the air the squirrel wrlsSlel uPmmhl", a.,
tried TO cling to the body Of the OWL ! ne H."
snapped at It's mead ana dre" me pioPPu., 1870
In silfdefence the ong teeth OF the sIu'tr,,I ntI
sunk into the throat Of the snowy oMI, ~ -.
wobbled around and screcched Wildly Ioi hss''' 90,
for The tceth OF It's little adversary nad soh' ~
through the throat. The sharp cIaWs ic' =" ~, an
fluffy tail, and the squirrel was ~, ' rn.de its
tb.
little head dizzy .. tee mates call
and was now soaring close over llV n'natr,,aG
creatures Evidently he male Dird nan 'ornnnd
a serious wound. for Its wings HOPPER h'v Tite
Wildly and the two were DESCENDING Idp''E,,, ,hc
minutes later the squirrel could escape Dut ~
second owl was making prepaiat'o;'S vi ,his
lie out OF the little body. AS u I'di. lo TO-
and knowing that there was only one ' nan he
escape the squirrel raised It's mead from va
fuzzy throat OF the bird, and glanced upward ann
then downward. Then before the crcnihs ,,It"',
owl could strike II had leaped from w.. dye
body Of Its victim, went lying SeNc"'ysms
feet through the air toward reighDorhls 'h's'-
nut tree 10 IN.
1t OF the grandest leaps ever Hiane ~ ~
"a squirrel. The little body was stTeneh OUT an,
the tail spread to the full extent 10 buoy " rh ~.
Ii shot downward IN slanting dlrecuoli nc
female owl pursued after moment ana tnsSn;
seeing It's mate still IN trouble. II returned 10 hs
assistance. The squirrel even In the brlei spuIIcu
time IL had TO think had made good caIcuhiontS
1t had leaped for a long. swayng branch OF INC
upon 1t The force OF the blow bent the branch
nearly double. and threw The squirrel on Dut
IT had broken the force OF the fall so that by me
time the squirrel reached another branch near me
ground II could hoid Then for 1--WE full minutes
II stood painting and bleeding, watching the ow.s
In the distance. Ii had the satisfaction OF seeing