190 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



downy and fulvous stages of plumage into the characteristic 

 plumage of mature birds. Their claws, however, have not 

 attained their maximum development, which is not the case 

 until near the following spring. At the age of four months 

 the young are able to imitate the peculiar notes of their 

 parents with considerable exactitude. When handled while 

 in their intermediate stage of plumage, they utter a hissing 

 sound, throw the head back, and if too near an approach is 

 made, produce a sharp clicking sound with the bill, indicat- 

 ing anger and disgust. When hungry, they emit a low weak 

 sound, which is utterly incapable of accurate representation. 



There are two broods of these birds in a season, in some 

 instances, although one seems to be the normal number. 

 The former is the case when nidification has commenced 

 unusually early, and the season is uncommonly long. The 

 second brood makes its appearance during the last of July, 

 or the beginning of August, and is particularly noticeable 

 where the first brood is restricted to a small number. 

 When the complement of eggs is four instead of two, a 

 second brood is an extremely rare occurrence. When 

 the second brood appears, their older companions are 

 large enough to shift for themselves, although they may 

 frequently be observed roosting in the same tree on which 

 the nest is placed, or only a short distance away. 



The eggs of this Owl are a beautiful white, with a pinkish 

 tint when fresh. They are rounded-oval, obtuse at either 

 end. and measure 1.62 by 1.48 inches. In size they vary 

 somewhat in different localities, and even the eggs of the 

 same nest, manifest perceptible differences. 



Bracliiotus palustris, GotM. 



The Short-eared Owl is an abundant summer resident in 

 the Arctic regions. Prof. Holboll found it in Greenland ; 

 Macfarlane in the Anderson River region ; and Richardson 

 throughout the fur countries as high as the 67th parallel of 

 latitude ; and in other parts of w r hat was formerly British 



