80 Forest Birds. 



commences to sit as soon as the first egg is laid, so 

 tha.t there is often a considerable difference in the 

 age of the young ones found in the same nest. They 

 are hatched in three weeks, and are blind for the 

 first few days. 



An owlet of a few weeks old is a most grotesque 

 object. It is covered with greyish down, and out of 

 this downy ball appear two large eyes and a beak. 

 If one should look into the nest the owlets snap their 

 beaks and hiss courageously. However, until they 

 begin to get their feathers the snapping bill has no 

 strength, and the finger may be put harmlessly into 

 the mouth. Owlets are very easily reared, and 

 become very tame in captivity, although treacherous 

 at times as they get older. They may be fed when 

 very young on sopped bread and snails, and when 

 older on almost any uncooked flesh, but young 

 birds and mice are especially relished. 



Although the Tawny Owl can live for a long time 

 without water, he, nevertheless, enjoys a bath 

 immensely. Standing in the water, he spreads out 

 his wings and tail and throws it in showers all over 

 himself. He emerges from his bath the very picture 

 of bedraggled misery, but soon dries himself by 

 vigorous pluming. 



The old birds defend their young very courage- 

 ously. A man known to us was savagely attacked 



