The Screech Owl 107 



searched, neither could be found. I myseK searched 

 the basement again, but with no better success. Fi- 

 nally I called "Billy, Billy," and listened. Billy 

 promptly responded by giving the sound of a, and, 

 guided by the sense of hearing, I found him sitting 

 on the gas pipe close by a joist, with Betty beside him. 



The next morning I put a basin of water into a box, 

 and in a short time Billy was taking a bath, and when 

 he had completed it, he was the wettest bird that I 

 ever saw; even the feathers on the top of his head 

 were wet. After this Billy took a bath very often, 

 but Betty less often. 



I placed them in bushes several times, just to see 

 what they would do. Both of them could fly well, but 

 they did not seem to think of it when out-of-doors. 

 When all was quiet they would remain motion- 

 less; startle one, however, and it would open its eyes 

 wide, but if the light was bright the bird would 

 quickly bring the lids close together, forming a mere 

 slit, thus shutting out most of the light, and probably 

 by this means giving it a far clearer image of me. 

 Again being left alone for some time, it would arrange 

 its feathers and become as motionless as before, 

 keeping always the ear-tufts slightly raised. But if 

 I gradually approached, it would slowly rise to its 

 full height, at the same time elevating the ear tufts. 



