BIRDS OF PREY 203 



quently quite a lot of such material is found in their bur- 

 rows, the eggs lying on and among this refuse. Incubation 

 usually commences with the first eggs laid, and lasts about 

 three weeks. The five to nine eggs are almost invariably 

 found in different stages of development, and young may 

 be found in the same nest with fresh eggs. Both sexes 

 assist in incubation, and the pair may sometimes be found 

 sitting side by side, each brooding a portion of the eggs." 



SHORT-EARED OWL 



The Short-eared Owl, or Prairie Owl, is common to 

 both the Eastern and Western continents, inhabiting the 

 United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 



This owl is less nocturnal than others, excepting the 

 snowy and hawk owls; as the two latter species are inhab- 

 itants of open territory and range north, they naturally 

 have little opportunity to escape the daylight during the 

 summer months. Like the marsh hawk, it destroys great 

 numbers of mice, meadow moles, and other injurious 

 rodents. Many fall a victim to gunners who are so igno- 

 rant and cruel as to shoot ami;hing that comes within range. 

 Despite the bird's size, the flight is noiseless. 



Five to eight pure white eggs are deposited on the 

 ground, usually at the base of a clump of grass. The eggs 

 are laid early, usually before the verdure appears. It is 

 remarkable how these birds can successfully hatch their 

 eggs and rear their young on the bleak prairies of INIinne- 

 sota and Dakota in April, when the only shelter is a tussock 

 of dead grass. 



