160 Sherman, Nest Life of the Screech Owl. [Aprfi 



a glimpse through the peep-hole of a human eye a youngster would 

 stare as if lost in the deepest study, then close one eye in a deliberate 

 long-drawn wink that was exceedingly droll, or in the same manner 

 it would wink both eyes simultaneously which was not so amusing. 



The light in the nest was about as bright as that in an ordinary 

 room, that which entered through the three windows of the blind 

 was greater than usually illumines house rooms. In neither place 

 did the young show signs that the light was too powerful for their 

 eyes. Only when carried into bright sunshine was there a blink- 

 ing: most human eyes are similarly affected. The male Screech 

 Owl often spent nearly the entire day with his head out of his box, 

 in the full rays of the sun, his actions indicating that he quickly 

 noted any unwonted movements. Unfortunately the hole of the 

 female's box could be seen from exposed positions mainly, and not 

 from the house. Twice only was she seen with her head out of her 

 box, then I was more than a hundred yards away in the back yard 

 of a neighbor, as I advanced toward the street into plainer view, 

 she quickly scuttled out of sight. Several times during the day- 

 time she accidentally was frightened from her nest, the directness 

 with which she flew to a tree, then into the box of her mate showed 

 no indications of poor vision. By day both she and her young were 

 able to discover an observing eye when the peep-hole was closed 

 all but the merest crack. A flash-light lantern was used nightly, 

 its rays entering by one peep-hole while observations were made 

 through the other; sometimes the lantern was introduced through 

 the hand-hole and flashed within an inch or two of the mother's 

 face. None of this appeared to excite fear, the light was utterly 

 disregarded, but she at once would commence to sway and to 

 peer at the human eye she detected in the gloom beyond. These 

 things lead me to think that the eyes of this species are similar to 

 those of the cat, capable of seeing well by day, also at night. 



Except when disturbed the mother at all times appeared stupid, 

 yet the. young were as alert as most nestlings during the day. 

 Until the shivering period was past they sought the warmth found 

 under the mother's wings; after this as one would naturally sus- 

 pect, they as do other young birds, continued to sleep much, 

 standing in a bunch with their heads pressed together; they 

 preened themselves but not so much as do some nestlings; fre- 



