180 



IN AUSTRALIAN WILDS. 



A nest of the Delicate Owl [Strix delicatula] , in 

 a hollow of a dead gum tree standing in the creek, was 

 visited. My companion had discovered the nest some 



DELICATE OWL, SHOWING THE DOWN. 



weeks previously, when it contained two eggs, and we 

 hoped to see a pair of nestlings. A natural causeway 

 of logs and debris enabled us to reach the tree dry 

 shod; but it was not so easy to scale the smooth bole. 

 There was only one nestling after all ; its fellow, no 

 doubt, was more advanced, and out in the world. 

 We brought the baby owl to the bank, where it blinked 



