32 



AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



Their actions around their nests vary so much in different localities 

 that one cannot be sure what they will do. in some localities they will 

 never fly directly to the tree where their nest is located but will fly over 

 the tree-tops to some other part of the woods and then, low down 

 amongst the trees, will fly to their nest. 



In some other places I have watched them for several days fly to a 

 certain tree in a piece of woods, and, upon investigating found a nest 

 therein, This freedom and openness I have never observed except in 

 a few districts where several deserted farms adjoin and the Crows are 

 left in undisputed possession from one year's end to another. When 

 the time approaches for their autumnal migrations they will congre- 

 gate in large flocks, sometimes as many as 100 to 200, and their move- 

 ments have all of the appearance of a lot of school boys at play. Now 

 they will start and follow this leader tarough a series of evolutions, 

 then several will seperate from the main body and go through various 

 feats of speed and agility and at last after the games are all ended 

 they will divide into squads of five or six and start off in search of food. 



Altogether there is a certain fascination in watching the adroitness 

 and diablerie of their movements that will be felt by every bird lover 

 who comes in contact with them. 



Harry L. Smith, Me. 



Photo by N. W. Swayne. 

 YOUNG BARN OWLS. 



Before the hoods have commenced to develop or pinfeathers to appear. 

 Notice that the bird on the left is much the largest. 



