THE SCREECH OWL. 



I wouldn't let them put my 

 picture last in the book as they 

 did my cousin's picture in March 

 '' Birds." I told them I would 

 screech if they did. 



You don't see me as often as 

 you do the Blue-bird, Robin, 

 Thrush and most other birds, 

 but it is because you don't look 

 for me. Like all other owls I 

 keep quiet during the day, but 

 when night comes on, then my 

 day begins. I would just as soon 

 do as the other birds — be busy 

 during the day and sleep during 

 the night — but really I can't. 

 The sun is too bright for my eyes 

 and at night I can see very well. 

 You must have your folks tell 

 you why this is. 



I like to make my nest in a 

 hollow orchard tree, or in a thick 

 evergreen. Sometimes I make 

 it in a hay loft. Boys and girls 

 who live in the country know 

 what a hay loft is. 



People who know me like to 

 have me around, for I catch a 

 good many mice, and rats that 

 kill small chickens. All night 

 long I fly about so quietly that 

 you could not hear me. I search 

 woods, fields, meadows, orchards, 

 and even around houses and 

 barns to get food for my baby 

 owls and their mamma. Baby 

 owls are queer children. They 

 never get enough to eat, it seems. 

 They are quiet all day, but just 

 as soon as the sun sets and twi- 

 light gathers, you should see 

 what a wide awake family a nest 

 full of hungry little screech owls 

 can be. 



Did you ever hear your mam- 

 ma say when she couldn't get 

 baby to sleeep at night, that he 

 is like a little owl? You know 

 now what she means. I think I 

 hear my little folks calling for 

 me so I'll be off. Good night to 

 you, and good morning for me. 



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