80 Forest Birds. 
commences to sit as soon as the first egg is laid, so 
that there is often a considerable difference in the 
age of the young ones found in the same nest. They 
are hatched in three weeks, and are blind for the 
first few days. 
An owlet of a few weeks old is a most grotesque 
object. It is covered with greyish down, and out of 
this downy ball appear two large eyes and a beak. 
If one should look into the nest the owlets snap their 
beaks and hiss courageously. However, until they 
begin to get their feathers the snapping bill has no 
strength, and the finger may be put harmlessly into 
the mouth. Owlets are very easily reared, and 
become very tame in captivity, although treacherous 
at times as they get older. They may be fed when 
very young on sopped bread and snails, and when 
older on almost any uncooked flesh, but young 
birds and mice are especially relished. 
Although the Tawny Owl can live for a long time 
without water, he, nevertheless, enjoys a bath 
immensely. Standing in the water, he spreads out 
his wings and tail and throws it in showers all over 
himself. He emerges from his bath the very picture 
of bedraggled misery, but soon dries himself by 
vigorous pluming. 
The old birds defend their voung very courage- 
ously. A man known to us was savagely attacked 
