WILD WINGS 
306 
I see them at dusk, when just out of the hole for the nightly 
hunt, perched on a tree by the roadside or in the orchard. 
One afternoon in early spring I was driving home at dusk, 
when, hearing one of these owls, I stopped to listen. The 
sound came from somewhere close at hand, but for some 
time I could not locate it, until finally, looking directly up, 
there I saw the little rogue within a few feet of me, peering 
down and hooting merrily at me, as though in friendly ridi¬ 
cule. 
Now and then I succeed in ferreting them out, especially 
in the winter, by looking for their disgorged pellets under 
holes in trees, in orchards particularly. These are owls’ “at 
home ” cards. The little dignitary will very likely be found 
asleep within, and can usually be pulled out unresisting. Of¬ 
ten he will feign death and lie perfectly limp, with eyes half- 
closed. But, if not watched, he will suddenly come to life, and 
be off. 
It is wonderfully hard to find the nest, considering that the 
little owl is so common. I have actually found more nests 
of the scarcer and wilder Great Horned Owl than of our tame 
little friend that abounds all about us. The eggs are laid 
on the rotten wood at the bottom of a tree-hollow, wherever 
a suitable one is found. It may even be right in the door- 
yard, in a shade-tree on the village or even city street, or 
in the orchard, as well as in the groves or forests. There 
the brooding owl sits like a statue, and nothing on earth 
will move her, but force. Moreover she is careful in nesting¬ 
time not to betray the location by droppings under her door. 
When the young are hatched, the parents will bring food, 
beginning at dusk, and this will sometimes reveal the secret. 
A brood were raised every year in a lofty hole of a great 
elm in Bedford, Massachusetts, just over the front door of 
the house, and I greatly enjoyed the sight when the owls 
