146 WINTER NEIGHBORS. 



decide the point, as the empty cavity itself is almost 

 an exact image of him. If the whole thing had 

 been carefully studied it could not have answered its 

 purpose better. The owl stands quite perpendicular, 

 presenting a front of light mottled gray ; the eyes are 

 closed to a mere slit, the ear-feathers depressed, the 

 beak buried in the plumage, and the whole attitude is 

 one of silent, motionless waiting and observation. If 

 a mouse should be seen crossing the highway, or scud- 

 ding over any exposed part of the snowy surface in 

 the twilight, the owl would doubtless swoop down 

 upon it. I think the owl has learned to distinguish 

 me from the rest of the passers-by ; at least, when I 

 stop before him, and he sees himself observed, he 

 backs down into his den, as I have said, in a very 

 amusing manner. Whether bluebirds, nut-hatches, 

 and chickadees birds that pass the night in cavi- 

 ties of trees ever run into the clutches of the doz- 

 ing owl, I should be glad to know. My impression 

 is, however, that they seek out smaller cavities. An 

 old willow by the roadside blew down one summer, 

 and a decayed branch broke open, revealing a brood 

 of half-fledged owls, and many feathers and quills of 

 bluebirds, orioles, and other songsters, showing plainly 

 enough why all birds fear and berate the owl. 



The English house sparrows, that are so rapidly 

 increasing among us, and that must add greatly to 

 the food supply of the owls and other birds of prey, 

 seek to baffle their enemies by roosting in the densest 

 evergreens they can find, in the arbor-vitas, and in 



