1910.
Oct 31
(No 5)
[October 31, 1910]

was noiseless and always as leisurely and effortless as that
of a big moth, reminding me, also, of that of a Whippoorwill
flushed by day in dense cover for the bird skimmed low over
the ground and rarely for more than a few yards without
making a rather abrupt turn. I was surprised at his
choosing so invariably perches less than six feet about [above] the
ground and also by the fact that he did not once assume
the stiff, erect pose, with feathers draw [drawn] in tightly and eyes
rendered to virtual slits, to which the Saw-whet owl and many
other Owls is so given. The attitudes taken by this bird
were, indeed, all easy and natural (in the sense of being like
those of ordinary birds). Frequently his back was nearly
horizontal and he never once sat perfectly erect while his
form was plump & rounded. His eyes were very beautiful
and trustful and even gentle seeming in their expression.
His plumage seemed to us grayer than that of most of his