Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 543 



residents in the grove en the hill at the Outlet, and still others 

 appear to stay in Farrar's woods at the south end of the lake. 

 Wherever there are old oaks or other large trees with deserted 

 woodpecker holes or hollow trunks or limbs suitable as nesting 

 places or as hiding places during the day, one or more screech owls 

 are apt to be found. They also sometimes take up their residence 

 in the lofts of cottages or in barns or stables, where they are very 

 useful and effective in destroying the mice which infest such places. 



At Long Point and on the Outlet hill could be heard almost 

 any night in spring or autumn the peculiar well-known shivering 

 note of the Screech Owl, also at various other places such as in 

 Green's, Walley's, and Farrar's woods, and at various places on the 

 east side. During the nesting season they often become quite bold 

 and will make dashes at anyone who comes near them in the twi- 

 light, snapping the bill and uttering a short tremulous cry. 



Our definite records are as follows : 



In 1899 it was frequently heard at night in July, August and 

 September. On October 12, one was seen on Long Point. In 1900, 

 one heard on Long Point August 14, October 4, November 3, and 

 another near Lost Lake November 10. In 1901, seen or heard 

 January 22 and 23, April 16, May 28, June 10, 15, 16, and 23. In 

 1902 one heard on Long Point October 19. In 1904, noted on Oc- 

 tober 18, 23, and 31, November 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 15, 18, 19, and 21, 

 and December 21. In 1905, one seen on Long Point January 1, 

 August 6 and September 8, and one in December. In 1907, seen or 

 heard September 20 and October 16. In 1913, one was seen or 

 heard on Long Point, September 23, and October 8, 9 and 14. 



74. GREAT HORNED OWL 



Not at all common. As a result of the cutting away of the 

 forests and the ignorant shortsighted destruction of these use- 

 ful birds, the owls are much less common than formerly. We 

 have only a few records for this region. In 1899 one was seen No- 

 vember 29. In 1900, one heard October 26. In 1901, one heard 

 March 20 and another in Farrar's woods April 13, when it came 

 within a few rods of the observer and hooted several times until 

 crows drove it away. It returned, however, in the afternoon and 

 hooted again. In 1904, one was heard October 21. In 1906, on 

 November 7, one seen south of lake. In 1907 one heard Novem- 

 ber 3. 



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