226 



vary in different localities. In eastern Pennsylvania, generally 

 a hollow tree, chiefly an aiipU' or an oak is chosen, but oc- 

 casionally a dilapidated and unoccupied barn; but mort' 

 rarely, an occupied building in close proximity to man. When 

 the former situations are chosen, the hollow Is lined with a 

 few diied grasses and feathers, although instances are not 

 unfrequently met with where the eggs are deposited upon bare 

 bottom. In the latter places a few rude sticks constitute a 

 framework which is lined with a few fine grasses and feathers. 

 It is deposited upon a short timber in a somewhat inaccessible 

 part of the building. Nesting ordinarily takes place early in 

 March, although we have observed newly-built nests in the 

 latter part of February. Oviposition commences about the sec- 

 ond week of March. The number of eggs laid varies from three 

 to four, very rarely more. * « * rpj^g eggs are some- 

 what sub-spherical, scarcely more pointed at one extremity 

 than the other, unless in exceptional cases; of a bluish-white 

 color, and measure 1.67 inches in length, and 1.37 in width. 

 They vary, however, in size in different localities." 



FEEDS ON MICE. 



Of fifteen «toinaehs of these birds examiued by the 

 vvi'iter. fourteen contained small rodents, principally 

 mice, and some few insects: the feathers of a sparrow 

 and bones of a small mammal were found in the other 

 stomach. Dr. Fisher, in the summer of 1890, examined 

 200 pellets at the nesting place of a pair of these owls, 

 in one of the towers of the Smithsonian Institution. 

 Washington, D. C, and found a total of 453 skulls of 

 the following mammals, and one Vesper Sparrow: "225 

 meadow mice; 2, pine mice: 179, house mice; 20, rats: 

 0, jumping micf^; 20, slirews; 1, star-nosHd mole." 



Sucli t'Aidcnce as this certainly proves the import- 

 ance of protecting these owls about our promises. 



