124 



THE OOLOGIST 



two occasions since, I have letrned of 

 the capture of Snowy Owls, I just 

 missed receiving them. 



But to my great joy, a few days ag:), 

 my friend, Mr. Harry Kent, stepped 

 into my office with the whitest and 

 most beautiful big Snowy Owl I ever 

 saw and I have looked at many mount- 

 ed specimens in my time. 



The weight of this bird was three 

 and one-half pounds, which showed, as 

 well as was proved upon dissection, 

 tha*^ he had been going hungry. His 

 measurements are as follows: (Feet 

 and inches, of course! If any person 

 who reads this is so far up the ladder 

 of science that he has lost his concep- 

 tion of measurements in feet and 

 inches, just let him write Barnes, the 

 editor; he can tell him something in 

 meterisms), Length, 22.5 in.; wing, 

 15.5 inches; expanse, 4 ft. 4 inches. 

 The date of capture was December 9, 

 1918, and strange to say, the location 

 was within two miles of the place of 

 capture of the one in 1894. 



A neighbor of Mr. Kent's had shot 

 at the bird when he saw it alight on 

 the ground, presumably in the act of 

 capturing a field mouse, but missed. 

 The bird then flew past Mr. Kent's 

 house, and he, taking a gun, and 

 mounting a horse, followed, overtaking 

 it about a mile farther on and shooting 

 it from the top of a hay stack pole. 

 He flew away a distance of 200 yards, 

 turned and retraced a part of the dis- 

 tance, dropping gradually to the 

 ground and expiring. Not a single 

 blood stain on the beautiful white 

 plumage. Death resulting from blood 

 hemorrhage into the body cavities. 



Proud old boy, was 1, in working 

 over this bird, but still I half mcurn 

 the loss to nature, even though his 

 nicely mounted skin graces my den. 



The death of this Great White Owl, 

 however, has its sequel, and hero it is: 



THE FLICKERS AND THE TITMICE 



(Observed May and June, 1914) 



Early in the spring a Flicker pair 



Sought for a cozy nest; 

 And in the hollow apple tree; 



Concluded they would rest. 



Here soon they laid six snowy eggs. 

 To guard with jealous care; 



While chirping many a note of glee 

 They were a happy pair. 



The loving parents soon rejoiced. 

 Six birdlings bold to greet; 



And busily employed their time 

 In finding food to eat. 



Day after day they fed the young, 

 And gave each one his share; 



When came a' pair of friends to aid 

 Them in their loving care. 



Two Titmice trim and light of heart, 

 Soon made themselves at home 



In the crown of the old apple tree, 

 Nor from it far did roam. 



But filled with song and industry. 



They sought untiringly 

 For all the little apple worms 



Through all the broad boughed tree. 



And fed the young till they were grown, 

 Sweet childless feathered pair; 



Though robbed of children of their own. 

 The Flickers' joys must share. 



M. F. L. Fitzpatrick. 



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