178 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



Occasionally they would be released from imprisonment 

 at the close of the day, when, after spending the entire night 

 in various predatory expeditions, they would return to the 

 tent, on the ensuing morning. A careful study of these birds. 

 while in his possession, convinced our friend that the organs 

 of sight were as well adapted to see bv day as by night. 

 It had been generally supposed that the iris of these birds 

 was protected from intense light by the inner lid. On one 

 occasion, the attention of one of these pets was directed to 

 objects in the distance which turned out to be a pair of 

 Cranes, in the full face of a blazing sun which the Doctor 

 himself could not confront without flinching. The bird 

 watched the object as it careered aloft, w r ith perfect com- 

 placency, never so much as blinking. A careful examination 

 convinced the Doctor that the nictitating membrane, contrary 

 to what had been so often asserted, was not called into req- 

 uisition as a protecting organ. The iris was shown not to be 

 automatic in its action, but apparently under the control of 

 the will. In gazing upon an object, one eye would be 

 wide open while the other would be half-closed, the pupils of 

 the two differing considerably in size. 



The eggs of this Owl are nearly spherical, of a bluish-white 

 color, and measure 2.28 inches in length, and 1.98 inches in 

 width. 



SCOPS asiO, Bonap. 



The Little Red Owl, or the "Screech Owl" as this species 

 is popularly designated, is widely distributed throughout tem- 

 perate North America. In the Arctic regions, it is evidently 

 unknown, as Richardson and other travellers do not mention 

 it in their notes. Throughout the New England, Middle, 

 Southern, and Western States, it is bv no means uncommon. 

 Boardman found it a resident species in the vicinity of Calais, 

 but in small numbers. Near Hamilton, Canada, it does not 

 occur in abundance, according to Mcllvvraith. but is more 

 numerous around Montreal. In Texas, especially at Long 



