202 BIRDS IN THEIR RELATIONS TO MAN. 



Nocturnal mammals are frequent victims. Four out of every 

 five of these owls that are brought in have been scented by a 

 skunk. Two nests that have come under the writers' obser- 

 vation both had the remains of skunks upon them beside the 

 young. Rabbits are caught in large numbers. Musk-rats, 

 rats, mice, and shrews are on the regular bill of fare. Many 

 birds are snatched from their roosts and borne away by this 



HEAD OF GREAT HORNED OWL. 



literally '' silent messenger." The ruffed grouse is often taken. 

 Farmers who carelessly allow their turkeys, chickens, or 

 guinea-fowls to roost on fences and trees are frequently made 

 to repent. The writers have known an owl to dispose of two 

 guiiica-liciis ill one night, leaving oidy a fcnv bones and a lot 

 of fcallici's on llic snow to Idl llic talc in liis account of 



