172 LAND BIRDS 



the feeding of the young was done at night, and each 

 morning witnessed a fresh heap of debris under the nest- 

 hole, as well as in the nest itself. This habit of leaving 

 all the remains of undigested food heaped just outside 

 the burrow seems to me particularly stupid, but I have 

 found it the case with burrowing owls also. Most birds 

 are careful to remove all trace from the vicinity, in order 

 not to betray the nesting place, as well as for cleanliness. 



The parent Owls were remarkably silent when at the 

 nest tree, uttering no sound beyond an occasional odd 

 chuck when one arrived with food for the young before 

 the other had left it. After careful observation, we 

 decided that the young were fed upon insects at first, 

 and afterwards upon mice. The adults came and went 

 every half-hour during the evening, and our presence so 

 near did not seem to bother them in the least. One of 

 them usually sat on the stump, pending the absence of 

 the other, but not infrequently both left at the same 

 time. The young Owls remained in the nest tree eight 

 weeks, and then, one day, were seen sitting side by side 

 among the thick foliage of a neighboring oak. 



This species is strictly nocturnal in habits, and is one 

 of the most important aids to the farmer in ridding him 

 of mice and insects, though song birds and sparrows are 

 also among its victims. Like most birds of prey, it is 

 fond of bathing, and may be found just at dusk or dawn 

 in a quiet corner of a small brook or pond, splashing and 

 ducking energetically with evident enjoyment. I have 

 watched one shake himself after such a bath until his 

 mandibles rattled like castanets, and a funnier sight I 



