46 BIRD STUDIES WITH A CAMERA 



ably the adults for never more than two are heard 

 begin to sing ; and this habit of post-nuptial singing 

 seems not to be confined to the Screech Owl, for 

 about this time the deep-toned, resounding notes of 

 the Barred Owl come up from the woods. Through- 

 out August and September the wailing whistle, 

 which is ever welcome for its spirit of wildness, is 

 heard nightly, and as the plaintive notes tremble on 

 the hushed air we invariably say, " Hark, there's 

 the Owl ! " 



My experience as bird photographer about home, 

 I must admit, has consisted chiefly in a series of en- 

 couraging failures which have borne no tangible 

 results. Let us hope, however, that the few pictures 

 here presented will prove as suggestive to the reader 

 as they are to their maker, who, although he offers 

 such inadequate proof in support of his belief, is far 

 too well convinced of the possibilities of home pho- 

 tography to go afield without saying at least a word 

 in its behalf. 



