HOME BIRDS 89 



leafless maple. I wondered whether any one else 

 knew that we had this "original inhabitant" still 

 abiding with us. 



A pair of Screech Owls once lived directly over 

 my study in a gable which they entered through a 

 round hole placed just below the peak. This formed 

 their doorway, and night after night it was occupied 

 by one of the birds, who, with half-closed eyes, 

 looked out sleepily over the gradually darkening 

 world. 



I could always tell when he sailed silently out in 

 search of his breakfast, by the commotion he aroused 

 among other birds. Robins, in a frenzy of fear, 

 shrieked their sharp alarm note, while hesitating 

 actually to attack the unoffending cause of their ex- 

 citement; Wood Thrushes uttered their clear "pit- 

 pit" uneasily; Catbirds protested, and the Red-eyed 

 Vireos complained nasally. 



Often I have gone out to see what all the noise 

 was about, usually to find the Owl maintaining a 

 dignified silence, or snapping his bill defiantly in the 

 depths of a tree, and wanting only to be left in peace. 

 Or, braving the open, he would leave the shelter of 

 the foliage to drop down on the lawn for a grub or 

 even to pick from a tree trunk a cicada just emerg- 

 ing from its shell-like case. 



As the light failed the mob dispersed, and relieved 



