LM4 



FIXING .cri-:kding places for owls. 



The following interesting accounl of I lie methods 

 employed by an enthusiastic oologist is taken fiom a 

 letter written to me, October, 1880, by Mr. O. li. Hark, 

 of Bethlehem: "Have you ever heard ol fixing holes 

 for Sparrow Hawks and Screech Owls? IMr. John 

 Mack, the best climber I ever met, every spring cleans 

 out old holes, enlarges such as are too small, etc., and 

 finds it pays him well; this spring he got ninety Spar- 

 row Hawk eggs and every one was taken out of holes 

 fixed by him; at one time he put the leg of an old 

 rubber boot in a hollow tree and several Aveeks later 

 took a batch of Screech Owl's eggs out of it. Another 

 singular experience he had with owls is, he made a 

 hole in a willow tree; when he came to look after it 

 again he found owls had taken possession of it and 

 had nearly filled it with field mice; he said there were 

 enough mice in it to fill his derby hat. This liappened 

 just before a heavy snow storm and about ten days 

 later every mouse was gone." 



EATS BEETLES AND GRASSHOPPERS. 



Mr. L. M. Turner informs me that he has made a 

 number of examinations of Screech Owls captured in 

 Illinois, and very generally found their food consisted 

 of such in.sects as the larger beetles and grasshoppers, 

 also many mice. Grasshoppers and olher orthopterous 

 insects are devoured in large quantities by these birds. 



During the summer months and at other times when 

 insect life is al)undant Screech Owls subsist mainly 

 on an insect diet. These birds also prey on mice, 

 shi-ews, oMier small quadrupeds and small birds. 



Investigations have clearly demonstrated that few, if 

 any. of Ihe owl tribe are more servicable to the farmer 

 nnd fruit gi-owei' tlinn is the Screech Owl, subsisting, as 



