204 



AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



the bird is now ready for a somewhat extended flight. Mark its firm 

 and vigorous grasp of the branch, a sure indication of power. Note 

 the grave, intelligent, self-possessed look with which in broad day- 

 light it greets our approach. There is nothing unseeing about those 

 big eyes. They seem to express more even than those of the adult 

 bird on page 197, which has rather a dreamy and absent minded look 

 as if it had not yet fully awakened from its daily sleep. 





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PhDlo from life by C. A. Smith. 



SEVEN WEEKS OLD AND READY FOR BUSINESS. 



When we consider that owls have the power to see and fly by day it 

 is rather remarkable that some of them appear so stupid in daylight. 

 You may take the eggs from under a mother Screech Owl, one by one, 

 without arousing her, though she may possibly open one eye when you 

 abstract the last one. You may take the bird from the nest and carry 

 it about all day in your pocket where it will remain quiet and motion- 

 less, but place the same bird back in its nest at nightfall and it 

 awakes to active, vigorous life at once. 



