36 



THE COLLECTORS MONTHLY. 



(For the Collector's Monthly.) 

 The Screech or Barn Owl. . 



(Megascops asio.) 



Although most of the owls are not found 

 in this locality (Central New York), the 

 screech owl, which is quite numerous here, 

 has come under my observation, and I wish 

 to relate to the readers of the Collectors 

 Monthly, what facts concerning it, I have 

 gathered. 



This owl is a small bird of prey, of a red- 

 dish color, mottled with white. It has a very 

 large head, stout back and fearful staring 

 eyes. These latter are the prominent feature 

 of the owl family. The eyes being surround- 

 ed by a fringe of feathers, are made to look 

 still larger then they are, and such a stare as 

 an owl will give you is enough to frighten 

 the bravest. As the eyes of all owls are so 

 constructed that they can see only in the 

 night, they come forth in search of their prey, 

 consisting of poultry, small birds, rats and 

 mice. These they swallow, bones, feathers, 

 fur and all, and cast them up in pellets or 

 balls, in some hole in the tree where they 

 live. The owl lays at intervals, three 

 or five large round white eggs, and 

 as the owl begins to set as soon as the first 

 one is laid, they are not all hatched at the 

 same time. 



Still another remarkable feature of the owl 

 is, in its feathers being so constructed that 

 it makes no noise in flying. Thus it can en- 

 ter the hens roost unheard by the sleeping 

 poultry till one is captured. But although 

 it makes no noise in flying it's unearthly 

 screech warns one of its approach, and makes 

 the farmer think of his poultry. Doubtless 

 many have heard this screech in the night 

 and on waking perhaps finds that the noc- 

 turnal visitor has stayed too long at the feast 

 and is compelled to wait until darkness 

 comes again before going home. As this 

 quite often happens, little is thought of it, 

 but the adventure of an owl which I am 

 about to relate, I think it is unsurpassed. 



Near where I live is situated a small 

 church, which is heated by a wood stove 

 stationed in one corner, and having a 6 inch 

 pipe, with two right angular joints, running 

 the whole length of the church, a distant of 

 over foi'ty feet. About a week ago one of the 

 church ladies went to this church to sweep, 

 and put it in order for services the next day. 

 After completing her work, she started, as 

 was her custom, to put the dirt in the stove 

 to be burned when the fire should be kindled 

 the next day. On opening the door of the 

 stove what should meet her gaze but a pair 

 of large firey eyes. The woman was terrified 

 and running out of the church she succeeded 

 in calling a man to her assistance, who came, 

 and found- nothing more than a poor screech 

 owl sitting there as calm as could be. That 

 owl had come down the chimney, through 

 the whole length of the stove pipe, making 

 two turns and passing two dampers, and 

 finally arriving at the stove where he was 

 contented enough not to be in a hurry to go 

 back through the tortuous tunnel. 



Henry Hubbard. 



Elegant Prizes for the Ladies. 



The Publishers of The Canadian 

 Queen, Toronto, Canada, are offering 

 two new prize competitions, with lead- 

 ing prizes consisting of a pair of Shetland 

 Ponies, carriage and harness, a Free Trip 

 to Europe, first-class upright piano, two 

 weeks vacation to any summer resort in 

 Canada or the United States, all expenses 

 paid; safety bicycle or tricycle, one hun- 

 dred dollars in cash, suite of parlor furni- 

 ture, ladies' gold watches, etc., etc. This 

 magazine has become famous on account 

 of its prize competitions. Hundreds of 

 Americans have won valuable prizes in 

 previous contests. Sample number of 

 The Queen with full particulars, will ba 

 sent by the publishers upon receipt of the 

 address of any lady and six U. S. 2 cent 

 stamps. Address The Queen, Toronto, 

 Canada. 



