The American Barn Owl 



apparently, as a landmark for his southward course. A Mockingbird 

 this past season (191 8) chose a point on the eaves immediately in line with 

 this flight (and within eight feet of my head), for his midnight and all- 

 night serenades. Thus, Owl and Mocker saw each other every morning; 

 and once, under a full moon, I roused in time to see Tyto pass squarely 

 over the mimic's head, and that not over six feet away. Yet the Mocker 

 "never turned a hair," nor admitted by a catch in his voice that anything 

 unpleasant had transpired. These birds at least understood each other. 



This industrious mouser is, fortunately, both prolific and abundant. 

 In favored sections it appears to nest twice in the season, and since sets 

 average six or eight in number — from that up to ten ! — it may be seen that 

 Mr. and Mrs. Tyto are not afraid of hard work. After flushing a bird from 

 hard-set eggs I have seen a pretty pantomime. The bird returned to a 

 point on the ledge hard by, and, fluffing its feathers to the utmost, began 

 to flutter and prance about, as though it were trying to stand on a hot 

 stove-lid. But this is unusual. Ordinarily the bird leaves the nest by a 

 downward sweep, and makes off hurriedly to hide in some remembered 

 cranny in the near neighborhood. This is especially the case if Prairie 

 Falcons happen to be nesting on the same cliff. The Falcon is a heartless 

 tyrant, and in this hour of his anxiety, he rejoices in a chance to vent his 

 spite upon an innocent Barn Owl. Only luck can save the Owl. Some 

 I have seen smashed in midair, and others merely bowled over, to rise 

 wrathful but silent, and scramble into cover before a second bolt should 

 fall. 



Barn Owls' eggs are notably different in shape from those of other 

 owls, being elongate or truly oval, instead of rounded, as in the StrigidcB. 

 The index is 76, as against an average of, say, 83.5 for the other group. 

 This points strongly to an ancient separation of stock. The eggs are laid 

 upon the bare floor of a cavity, or else upon whatever chance accumula- 

 tion of disintegrated pellets, or other incognoscenda may offer. The place 

 is sure to be filthy, and before the youngsters are done with it, the stench 

 is likely to be overpowering. Eggs are deposited every other day, or 

 irregularly; and incubation begins immediately, so that the youngsters 

 arrive seriatim, and are most accurately graded in size. The parents try 

 to be fair, but the youngest frequently arrives too late, for what helpless 

 infant could hope to thrive after having been stepped on, whether pur- 

 posely or no, by an eighteen-day-old brother! When intruded upon, the 

 young family will hiss like a nest of snakes, and throw themselves in 

 various defensive postures. The babes, in their close covering of white 

 wool, are comical looking creatures, but they do not scruple to press home 

 a set of claws which are sharp as needles; so perhaps it is just as well not 

 to try to chuck them under the chin. The older birds will fight like demons 



IO/8 



