114 FROM IlLOMIDON TO SMOKY. 



During the warm months the owls require 

 food daily, and in considerable quantities. As 

 cold weather comes on, their demands grow more 

 moderate, and in midwinter they eat little and 

 seem drowsy most of the time. Once or twice 

 I have failed to feed them for nearly a week 

 after giving them a hearty ration. In summer, 

 when fed frequently, and on mixed animal food, 

 they often eject from their throats round pellets 

 made np of the bones, hair, feathers, or other 

 undigested portions of their preceding meal. 

 Once or twice these ejections have been ex- 

 tremely offensive in odor. When hungry the 

 owls betray the fact by whining cries. When 

 fed, if both secure a hold on the first piece of 

 liver, a spirited tug of war ensues, wings, beak, 

 free foot, and tail all being used to gain ground. 

 During such a scrimmage a queer chattering 

 with an undertone of angry whining is kept up, 

 but I never have seen either bird attempt to 

 wound or really injure the other. Food not re- 

 quired by one of the owls for immediate use is 

 always hidden in a corner, and often guarded 

 with care against appropriation by the other. 



Contrary to my expectations the owls are not 

 appreciably more active in twilight hours than 

 at other times, and I think they are quiet, possi- 

 bly asleep, at night. I am certain that in an 

 ordinary degree of darkness they cannot see. If 



