98 General Notes. [^ 



but there was an opening at the easterly end leading into an open space 

 about two feet wide by four long — a sort of play and feeding grounds for 

 the young. One young bird was all the nest contained, but as this owl 

 lays from four to seven, and usually five or six, eggs we concluded the 

 remainder had concealed themselves. A systematic search soon brought 

 to light another of the brood. It was squatted down, with beak and 

 throat lying flat on the ground, and well concealed by the thick grass, 

 further aided by its blending colors. It was some days older than the 

 other, judging by its more advanced feather development. These two 

 being all I desired for my collection, we immediately left the neighborhood 

 so as not to further disturb the family and possibly secure a set of eggs 

 next year. It is worthy of note that the nest and vicinity was kept clean 

 of all castings, down, feathers, etc., that would tend to betray its existence. 



The young proclaimed their defiance by a loud snapping of the mandi- 

 bles, sometimes varied by a hiss, and when alone in another room fre- 

 quently uttered a mournful little cooing note. While I was in sight they 

 made no attempt to walk and merely squatted closer to the floor as I 

 approached and touched them, but the moment they supposed themselves 

 alone they seemed inspired with new life. They stood up, glanced quickly 

 around and started away on a rapid run with neck and head extended 

 forward, but instantly stopped and squatted when I appeared. Both 

 threw up castings of mouse fur and bones. I made skins of them that 

 night but have since regretted not keeping one alive for study. 



Savanna Sparrow. — May 6, 1906, I found this sparrow numerous 

 about some mud flats partly covered and surrounded by weeds. This 

 piece of ground contained about six acres of P. C. 122, Village of Grosse 

 Pointe Farms. These birds I regarded as migrants, but the conditions 

 favoring a possible nesting place I returned June 10, when I found five 

 pairs and secured a young bird just learning to fly. 



I was over this same ground June 17 and 24, but the entire colony had 

 disappeared, nor were they anywhere on the several square miles of suit- 

 able territory in that part of the county. The owls, also, were seen for 

 the last time June 17. 



This tends to confirm my opinion of what should constitute a breeding 

 record. Articles sometimes appear entitled the breeding of certain birds 

 in certain localities but we find, upon perusal, that the statements are 

 backed by no stronger evidence than the fact of observing the birds in the 

 breeding season or the taking of a full grown young or a female showing 

 conclusive evidence of having recently reared a brood. I believe nothing 

 should be accepted as a positive record except the finding of a nest con- 

 taining eggs or young or the taking of a young bird not yet able to fly well. 



The above colony of sparrows disappeared between June 10 and 17, and 

 the Short-eared Owls between June 17 and 24. They may have gone to 

 the extensive marshy meadow lands in St. Clair County, but wherever they 

 went the possibility was open of some ornithologist securing parents and 

 young only a few weeks from the nest in a locality where they did not 



