WHITE — On some Pellets or Casts of a Screech Oivl. 91 



tliey are practically able to take care of themselves; but on 

 the ground beneath the nesting hollow the pellets are always 

 numerous, although it is probable that these are from the old 

 birds only. 



It is seldom to be seen away from watercourses, or at 

 least from permanent waterholes. Sudden cold seems to be 

 very injurious to it, as after every cold snap a few dead birds 

 may be picked up. 



Whilst rabbit shooting by moonlight this owl has often 

 been observed flying low down over rabbit warrens, and to 

 suddenly clutch at some object with its claws: from examina- 

 tion of the pellets this object must often have been a young 

 rabbit ; matured rabbits do not appear to be attacked. It has 

 also been observed alighting to capture crickets and other in- 

 sects. 



It was once very common at the Reedbeds, but, like otheil 

 native birds, of late years has become scarce. A few are, how- 

 ever, still to be heard at night, or occasionally may be seen 

 perched in some thickly foliaged tree during the daytime. Its 

 worst enemy is undoubtedly man, who, blaming it for killing 

 chickens, pigeons, and young game birds (usually due to the 

 rat) shoots it remorselessly. 



Its hideous call, resembling the shriek of a child in agony, 

 and suddenly breaking the stillness of the night, also pre- 

 judices people against it. But the pellets from this single bird 

 are sufficient to prove that the species is one of the most use- 

 ful, if not actually the most useful one, that we have in Aus- 

 tralia. The Laughing Jackass {Dacelo f/igas) has been seen on 

 several occasions to kill, or seriously injure, individuals, and, 

 in common with other owls, it is frequently mobbed by small 

 birds. Hawks have been known to attack it. 



There can be no doubt as to the approximate 

 date when the particular owl, whose pellets are now 

 under consideration, began to frequent the pine tree, 

 as the ground beneath this had been raked over just 

 before Christmas, and no pellets were seen. It is also 

 certain that no other owl used the tree during the past year, 

 so that the whole of these pellets are from one bird. But 

 the sarnie bird used other trees, and has now disappeared. It 

 is reasonable, therefore, to estimate that the total number of 

 pellets ejected for the six months is at least double that found 

 under the tree, or for a whole year four times that number. Of 

 the pellets the actual number obtained were: — 



