The Arizona Elf Owl 



describe the notes of whitneyi as a whinny, a rattle, or a churr. Major 

 Bendire, who possessed as accurate a knowledge of this bird as any one, 

 speaks of its' "peculiar call notes resembling the syllables 'cha-cha, 

 cha-cha,' frequently repeated in different keys, sometimes quite distinct 

 and again so low that they could not be heard more than 20 yards off." 

 Mr. Frank Stephens, also writing from Arizona, says: 2 "With the 

 evening twilight they came forth from their retreats, and were sometimes 

 dimly seen, but oftener heard calling to one another. They had several 

 different notes one of which sounded like the syllable 'churp,' while 

 another was a low 'tw-zur-rrr.' These cries were heard at all times of 

 the night but oftenest in the early evening and again at daybreak." 

 Our own notes made near Indian Oasis, Arizona, were of a bird which, 

 quite after dark, moved from tree to tree in a bristling way and shouted 

 chit it ik. These sounds scarcely constituted a rattle, because each 

 syllable was possessed of a distinct individuality, albeit wooden enough. 

 They were not altogether unlike the slapping of a stout string against a 

 board. 



Examination of many stomachs has developed the fact that Elf 

 Owls subsist almost exclusively upon an insect diet. Beetles, ants, grass- 

 hoppers, and moths are mentioned ; and one observer finds that they make 

 sallies into the air for flying prey, after the fashion of flycatchers. No 

 instances of their preying upon other birds have come to light; and, indeed, 

 Elf Owls appear to be on the best of terms with their feathered neighbors. 



Elf Owls, chiefly males, are sometimes taken by surprise in thickets, 

 and their behavior on such occasions is quite like that of large Owls, viz., 

 drawing themselves up rigidly with feathers "appressed," and looking like 

 badly bored majors. We took a specimen, a male, from a hackberry 

 tree near Tucson, who on this account looked a half size taller than he 

 should. Stephens thinks that the male may be partially gregarious 

 during the breeding season, for on one occasion he found two "sitting 

 out" in a bush, and on another — five. 



But, after all, we must come back to that old woodpecker hole in the 

 sahuaro to get any further light upon the Elf Owl. Eggs are deposited 

 from the 10th to the 20th of May, and the youngsters are covered soon 

 after birth with abundant white fuzz. The female is likely to be in close 

 attendance whatever the age of the chicks, but the male sleeps out in- 

 variably. 



One special privation the Elf Owl is sometimes called upon to undergo. 

 An unseasonable rain will ruin the most promising prospects, if the shelter 

 be a sahuaro. It's a long time between drinks for the thirsty giant, so 



1 "Life Histories of North American Birds," Vol. I., p. 412. 



2 Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Vol. VIII., 1883. p. 28. 



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