VANCOUVER PYGMY OWL 429 



and down the plain, and performing all kinds of inexplicable ma- 

 noeuvres. Occasionally they settle on the ground, but never long at 

 a time." 



Nesting. — Like the California race, the Vancouver pygmy owl makes 

 its nest in a tree hole, preferably in an oak in an opening, or at least 

 at the edge, of the forest. 



Eggs. — The eggs are described by Mr. Lord (1866) as follows: 

 "Early in May two small eggs were laid, white in color, round and 

 very rough on their surface, a large knot-hole in the branch of the 

 tree having been selected as the nesting-place. Nothing of any kind 

 was used as a lining, the eggs being deposited on the bare wood." 



Food. — So far as noted, food is largely insects, chiefly grasshoppers, 

 crickets, large beetles, and occasional butterflies. When captured, 

 the prey is held down with one foot while the beak tears at the softer 

 parts. Mr. Lord (1866), "never observed them to capture an insect 

 while on the wing, and a very small quantity of food seemed to supply 

 their wants." H. S. Swarth (1912) speaks of securing only two speci- 

 mens on Vancouver Island. The first bird was secured about ten 

 o'clock in the morning, when its stomach contained only a few feathers. 

 "The second was taken September 22. * * * This was in the 

 middle of the day and the bird's stomach contained a large dragon 

 fly, evidently just swallowed, sufficient evidence of diurnal hunting." 



Behavior. — This pygmy owl is a common resident throughout its 

 habitat, both on the lowlands and in the mountains. That it is 

 abundant on Vancouver Island can be readily inferred from J. A. 

 Munro's note (1919) that he called up four at one time. But in 

 spite of this, the Vancouver pygnvy seems to be more timid and of more 

 solitary habits than the other races. Mr. Lord (1866) says that they 

 spent their time "hiding among the thick foliage of the oak or pine, 

 except when feeding. In the first morning twilight the owls were up 

 and in motion, hungry after a whole night's fasting. As soon as 

 their hunger is satiated they return to the tree (an oak-tree), cuddling 

 close together, and doze away the greater part of the day. In the 

 evening twilight the Owls again come out of their hole. As soon as 

 it became dark they retired to their nest, and there apparently passed 

 the night." Mr. Lord's notes indicate that this form is more addicted 

 to the twilight than are the other races. Still, other ornithologists 

 have noted its activity during the daytime. 



The flight of this Vancouver pygmy has been described as similar 

 to that of a sparrow hawk. Evidently, then, its flight is much like 

 that of the California bird. According to Mr. Lord, the flight seen 

 by him was somewhat irregular and erratic, but this eccentricity 

 might have been due to the influence of the courting season. 



Voice. — Its notes are very much like those of the California form 

 in most respects. Major Brooks (1917) says that: "The rolling 



