198 



and six have been reported. The eg^s 

 are white, showing, as a rule, but little 

 gloss and are roughish. In form they 

 are rounded oval, about two and one-half 

 inches long, and nearly two inches in di- 

 ameter. The period of incubation lasts 

 about four weeks, and it is said that only 

 the female sets on the eggs, the male fur- 

 nishing her with food. 



Like the Great Horned Owl this varie- 

 ty is quite solitary in its habits, except 

 during the breeding season, and is almost 

 as destructive as that bird which is con- 



sidered the most destructive of all the 

 Owls. 



The Owl has long been an inspiration 

 to the poets, due to its odd appearance 

 and uncanny actions during the daylight 

 hours, the wise expression of its face, and 

 its quiet flight during the weird hours of 

 the night. 



"The lark is but a bumpkin fowl; 



He sleeps in liis nest till morn; 

 But my blessing upon the jolly owl 



That all night blows his horn." 



THE OWL. 



When cats run home and light is come, 



And dew is cold upon the ground, 



And the far-off stream is dumb, 



And the whirring sail goes round, 



And the whirring sail goes round; 



Alone and warming his five wits, 



The white owl in the belfry sits. 



When merry milkmaids click the latch, 

 And rarely smells the new-mown hay, 

 And the cock hath sung beneath the thatch 

 Twice or thrice his roundelay, 

 Twice or thrice his roundelay; 

 Alone and warming his five wits, 

 The white owl in the belfrv sits. 



-Alfred Tennvson. 



