AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 297 



hollow-tree apartment and during the long ardous task of incubation, 

 the male is a constant and faithful companion of his little mate- Little 

 mother megascops is of meek disposition when called upon at her resi- 

 dence. She makes no disturbance and offers little resistence when lifted 

 from the nest. A slight contraction of the claws is sometimes noticed, 

 which is rather uncomfortable for the disturber's fingers. 



It is very effective in bringing out the hostess, however, for upon a 

 quick withdrawal of the arm, megascop comes with it. 



The nests are placed in natural cavities of trees or in old excavations 

 hewn out by Woodpeckers. The material used I have never been able 

 to identify other than trash. A cozy retreat at the time the eggs are 

 dsposited, it is rather an untidy place at the completion of incubation, 

 and becomes very filthy before the young are able to leave the nest. 



The nests are seldom far from the ground, generally ranging from 

 five to fifteen feet. The entrance of one nest noted was only two feet 

 above the ground, and the heart of the tree being hollow, the eggs 

 were necessarily resting upon the ground. 



An occupied home, especially when the small entrance of a Flicker's 

 excavation is chosen, may nearly always be determined by the fuzzy 

 feathers loosened from the Owl in its passage, sticking to the sides of 

 the entrance. Occasionolly when both Owls are home, the male may 

 be reluctantly flushed by tapping on the tree, but a setting female will 

 seldom leave unless pulled out. 



From four to six white eggs — globular and very large in proportion 

 to the size of the Owl — are deposited and incubation begins from the 

 day of the first egg. 



In nearly all cases one or two eggs prove infertile, probably owing 

 to the damp surroundings and foul conditions of the nest. 



A family of young Owls out for an airing and lined up in a row is a 

 common and interesting sight. They soon learn their most important 

 lesson — that of eating Owl fashion — and their first attempts to bolt 

 their food whole while balancing their unsteady bodies on a small limb, 

 are comical performances. 



Birds, with mice and other small rodents, while not swallowed in 

 their entirety, disappear with surprising rapidify. All fur, fine feathers, 

 small bones and other indigestible portions swallowed are expelled 

 from the mouth in the form of small pellets. 



The Screech Owl is instrumental in keeping down the numbers of 

 prolific small animals generally termed nuisances, and is thereby a val- 

 uable auxiliary to the farmer. Altogether he is a very useful bird and 

 should be encouraged and protected. 

 {Reprinted from the Chicago Record-Herald.] Philo, Illinois. 



