544 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



in the protection afforded them by this resemblance, when several 

 are together, as is often the case in winter — one or more may be 

 shot without the rest showing so much as by the movement of a 

 feather that they are disturbed." On one occasion a friend with 

 whom he was hunting came upon five of these Owls sitting in a 

 row on a limb of a giant Cottonwood. " Beginning at one end of 

 the line, he shot them all, one after another, his last shot starting 

 a sixth, which he had not seen, from a perch in the same tree." 

 When Mr. Anthony arrived upon the scene they began looking 

 for the escaped Owl, but failed to discover it. " As we were 

 leaving, however, my eyes chanced to fall upon what at first 

 appeared to be an abnormal growth on the trunk of a small sap- 

 ling near us, but which, upon a second glance, proved to be a 

 little Screech-Owl. With its back against the trunk of a tree it 

 was drawn up to its fullest height, all its feathers drawn tight 

 against its body, its ear-tufts erect. It looked to be twice its 

 normal length, and so closely did it resemble the grey bark and 

 branches that, unprotected as it was by leaves or twigs in the 

 strong glare of a bright winter's day, its discovery was purely 

 accidental. Our tracks in the snow proved that we had several 

 times passed within ten feet of the bird, and it was quite evident 

 that it was aware of our presence ; for, while it made not the 

 slightest movement, it watched us constantly through its half- 

 closed lids, trusting no doubt to escape detection, but ready to 

 fly if the occasion required." * 



Geese and Ducks seem to mimic snakes. In the opinion of 

 Mr. Louis Robinson : — " It seems very probable that the hiss of 

 the Goose, when it desires to show hostility, is founded upon the 

 hiss of the serpent. Many Ducks also, when nesting, will thrust 

 out their necks and hiss when an intruder approaches, and a 

 Muscovy drake is almost as ready to adopt this method of 

 intimidation as a gander. It is found that nearly all long-necked 

 birds which nest among reeds and bushes show a similar habit. 

 One can easily understand that among thick grass or reeds, where 

 only the head and neck of a nesting Duck are visible, the forward 

 dart and hiss might often be sufficient to deter a cautious enemy 

 from making an attack."! 



* * Science,' vol. xxiii. p. 64. — Capt. Bendire has made a similar observa- 

 tion on this species (Asio america?ius). 



t ' Wild Traits in Tame Animals,' pp, 281-2. 



