SCREECH OWL 41 



commonly a hole in a tree, but the Yellowham- 

 mer is not averse to occupying a ready-made 

 dwelling and will even thank you for a bird-box 

 of convenient size. 



Although often seen on the ground its feet 

 are like all Woodpeckers' feet, adapted for cling- 

 ing erect against tree-trunks, with two toes be- 

 fore and two behind. 



SCREECH OWL 



Can you think why the eggs of birds who nest 

 in the open are usually colored or speckled, while 

 those laid in a deep or hidden and more or less 

 dark place are commonly pure white? Can you 

 find a reason for the difference in the shape of 

 the eggs — those of sea-fowl who lay on flat 

 ledges of rock being of a long, almost cone-like 

 oval; those in cup-shaped nests being oval or 

 elliptical ; and those placed in deep hollows some- 

 times quite round? Try to roll some cone-shaped 

 object, as a thimble or a tumbler, along the floor, 

 and a reason may suggest itself to you. 



Anyway, our little Owl is hatched from a 

 pure white, globular egg, in a hollow tree nest 

 so deep and dark that the twin treasures cannot 

 roll out nor be seen by passing enemies. There 

 are two white, downy young. Sometimes this 

 inoffensive little home occupies an angle of the 

 rafters in an unfrequented barn or cabin loft. 



