Cambridge, Mass.
1912.
July 4
[July 4, 1912]

Family of Screech Owls in Garden.

  There were four young Screech Owls with their mother in
the catalapa [catalpa] this morning. They all spent the day there.
July 5 [July 5, 1912]  Mother Owl again in catalapa [catalpa] but all four young in lilacs
where, within two yards of the garden path and scarce five feet
above the ground, they sat close together through the day and
were viewed at close range by all the members of our family
and more than a dozen of our neighbors.
July 6 [July 6, 1912]  Old Owl in catalapa [catalpa], 4 young picturesquely grouped on stump
of Porter apple tree at edge of Jungle, this lasting all day.
July 7 [July 7, 1912]  Old Owl in catalapa [catalpa] all day, 4 young in grape arbor close
together on top rail of trellis.
July 8 [July 8, 1912]  Entire Owl family reunited in catalapa [catalpa] at 9.30 A.M. but two
young were missing from the group by noon. At 2 P.M. I was 
hurrying towards the Museum when one of the young flew up 
from the edge of the little pond & back into the catalapa [catalpa], chased by
House Sparrows & Bronzed Grackles. The cement coping of the
pond was wet where the Owl had been & I think the bird was bathing
there. A blazing hot sun shining from clear sky at the time.