88 THE SHORT-EARED OWL. 



form complete. If examined, they will be foimd to be formed in a very peculiar manner, and 

 quite distinct from those on which their extremities press." 



For the following interesting account of the habits of a tame Long-eared Owl, I am in- 

 debted to the kindness of a correspondent. 



" The Horned Owlet has a peculiarly cat-like expression of face, and this I think was the 

 chief attraction possessed by a downy grayish-white ball, that was thrust into my laj) by one 

 of my boy friends, who at the same time announced its name and nature. 



"With great delight I proceeded to introduce him to my other bird pets, but the intense 

 excitement caused by his aj)pearance compelled me to remove him with aU speed. Tlie small 

 birds were all afraid of him, but the jackdaw and magpie both charged poor 'Blinker' at once. 

 It then struck me that the cat-like face and nocturnal mousing-habits of the creature indicated 

 the deep secret of its nature, and if so, that it would have more sympathy with the feline 

 establishment than with that of the birds. 



"Acting upon this impression, I at once conveyed him to pussy's closet, and introduced 

 him to its occupants, namely, Mrs. Fanny and her blind kitten. Pussy regarded him at lirst 

 with very susx^icious looks ; but the poor bird, feeling pleased with the dim light and pussy's 

 soft warm coat, soon nestled up to her. This act of confidence on Blinker' s part appeared to 

 affect Fanny favorably, and she at once purred him a welcome. From this time they were fast 

 friends, and many mice did she good-naturedly provide Blinker with, in common with her 

 Dwn kitten. When he grew large enough, he used to sit on the side of her basket, and would 

 never settle qviietly for the niglit until the two cats were asleej) in their bed. 



"It was quite beautiful to observe the warm affection which grew up between the Owlet 

 and the kitten. The only cause of discord that we ever noticed between the two was when the 

 kitten would play with a living mouse. This evidently hurt Blinker's feelings, for he would 

 always pounce dowTi and seize the mouse by the back of its neck, and kill it in a moment. 

 Still he had a sense of justice in his nature ; for wlien the mouse was dead, he would drop it- 

 down to its rightful owner. 



' ' I had him for a year, and was much attached to him ; but he fell ill, and went the way 

 of all pets." 



The Long-eared Owl {Asio americanus). This bird is pretty evenly distributed over the 

 continent of North America, and is one of the most familiar Owls in the Northern States. It 

 is entirely nocturnal in habit ; its large golden irides are a striking feature. It is the most 

 numerous of all American Owls. 



Another species of Eared Owl is nearly as common as the j^receding bii'd. This is the 

 ShoBt-eaeei> Owl, or Short-horned Owl, as it is sometimes called. 



The Short-eai'ed Owl {Asio accipitrimis) is much smaller than the preceding. It is found 

 on every portion of the continent, but is rare in New England. Though nocturnal proi^erly, 

 it is often seen in company with the Marsh Hawk, hunting over meadows, in cloudy days. 

 Mice and smaU. reptiles ai'e its natirral prey. 



This species is remarkable for the very small size of the head, which is even smaller than 

 the neck, and gives a very un-Owl-like look to its aspect. In its habits the Short-eared Owl 

 is very unlike its relations, as >+■ ^ies much by day, and haunts the heaths and open lands in 

 preference \a) the woods. The egj^s of this bird are laid ui)on the bare earth, which is scraped 

 away by the parent bird until a small lioUow is made, and is undefended by the slightest 

 lining. Richardson, however, says that in North America its nest is formed of dried grasses 

 and moss laid on the ground. Sometimes the eggs are laid on a depression among sedges or 

 heather, and there are instances where Owls' eggs, supposed to be of this species, have been 

 found in rabbit-burrows. ^Tie eggs are seldom more than three in number. On account of 

 its small head and day-hunting propensities, it is sometimes known by the local name of 

 .Hawk Owl. 



It does not seem to be very powerful on the wing, seldom flying for more than a hundred 



