300 BENDIRE, West and Egas of the Screech Owl. [October 
Mr. Gale writes further as follows: ‘Rarely does this species 
follow the creeks far into the foot-hills; Ihave not observed them 
at 6000 ft. altitude. Like others of their genus, they seem to de- 
light in a sheltered, shady location, close to a pond or creek. where 
they select a domicile, either in a natural tree hole or in a Flicker’s 
old nest site. If for any reason the Flicker wishes to retain his 
previous year’s nest site, and Scops is in possession, strife is 
carried on between them with great address, ending as often in 
favor of one as the other, judging from the broken eggs upon 
the ground ejected by the victor. The Flicker dares not enter, 
to turn Scops out, but if the premises are vacated for ever so short 
a time, he enters, and holds them against all comers; his formi- 
dable bill pointing out at the door is sufficient apology for leaving 
him in quiet possession. 
‘‘About the middle of April is the usual period for the eggs, 
which are from three to five in number. The nest is usually a 
sparse gathering of wing and tail feathers of small birds; in some 
instances no litter of any kind is present; as a rule the first two 
or three eggs are laid on consecutive days, with intervals of two, 
three or more days between the third, and last one, or two, as 
the case may be. The female is always in charge, and at no time 
leaves the nest while sitting, or while her brood is very young ; 
she is waited upon, and fed by the male, who, being a skilful 
hunter, provides liberally for her wants. Searching for nests, I 
have sometimes discovered the male hidden ina tolerably well 
stocked larder, in close proximity to the nest site. In one cache 
were portions of a Bluebird, a mouse, and a frog; in another a 
Junco, a tree Sparrow, and a minnow three and a half inches 
long; claws and legs of crawfish were also present. In a few 
cases I have discovered the male sitting upon a bough close to 
the stem of a cottonwood tree, perfectly motionless, with eyes 
almost closed as if asleep, the pupil of the eye closed to the merest 
slit, but with ears erect, and all alive to the danger threatening 
his sitting mate close by; in this well selected position, his color 
and markings so nearly resembling the rough, corrugated bark of 
the tree, he seemed to have the fullest assurance of security 
against observation. 
‘*The female is a close sitter ; to induce her to leave her nest is 
a difficult matter, unless she has been frequently disturbed and 
understands what is meant when she hears the tree grappled in 
