consist of some small bird, but usually seeking their regular meals 

 from more substantial game, such as owls, grouse, partridge, mice, 

 squirrels and rabbits, of which the last 'is perhaps the most staple 

 article of diet. 



They are expert tree-climbers and frequently choose for a 

 home the hollow of a tree, or more often a fissure down among the 

 rocks, lining their nest with moss or dry leaves to make it soft and 

 comfortable. Although they may prefer the darkness or at least 

 twilight for their excursions abroad, they delight to come out of 

 their den and bask in the warm sunshine of some sheltered ledge 

 quite as does our household pet before an open fire. Indeed they 

 betray their distant relationship to this familiar favorite by show- 

 ing no aversion to the society of humankind, since they have often 

 been known to remain even after a community has become well set- 

 tled and to seek accommodations elsewhere, only when compelled by 

 the scarcity of a food supply. 



85 



