126 FROM BLOMIDON TO SMOKY. 



season, was the scarlet tanager. As a rule it 

 took no notice of the owl's presence. Cedar- 

 birds were similarly indifferent even when the 

 owl was near their nests or young. 



Crows and blue jays showed great hatred of 

 the owl. In the late summer the jays prowled 

 about in considerable flocks. By " squeaking " I 

 could draw them near enough to see the owl, 

 and then the harshest and most violent kind of 

 bird abuse would be poured out on Puffy's head. 

 Jays certainly have a broad knowledge of pro- 

 fanity. The crows were scarcely less demon- 

 strative ; circling low over the owl, they made 

 the woods ring with their angry clamor. I 

 found that I could attract them by hooting like 

 my pets. 



As a rule the hawks cared little for the owl. 

 I shot one young Cooper's hawk near its nest 

 because my calling and the owl's moving about 

 induced the creature to fly up, tree by tree, until 

 within range. On July 23, while " squeaking," 

 I was astonished to see a sharp-shinned hawk 

 make a dash at Puffy, scaring him into his stump- 

 like condition of plumage and attitude. I con- 

 tinued to " squeak," and the hawk flew straight 

 at my head, grazed my face, and alighted near 

 by. Soon a second came, but was more wary. I 

 amused myself with them for half an hour, and 

 again on another day a week later. On no other 



