18 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. XV 
by, and so it proved, for scarce sixty feet distant, in a small isolated tree, I came 
upon a bundle of sticks placed at the junction of a large branch, in a somewhat 
exposed position, and only ten feet from the ground. As the tree was on low 
ground I could almost see into the nest by standing on the bank of the slough. 
When I looked into it and saw six eggs, I felt that one more species was to be 
added to my collection of local sets ; but a more careful examination showed 
that two of the eggs were on the point of hatching, one already having a small 
hole chipped in one side ; so sliding from the tree I made a hasty departure 
leaving the owls to return to their soon-to-be family. 
Yes! I have read instructions as to satisfactory methods of preparing for 
the cabinet eggs in which incubation is complete, but the collecting spirit has 
never become sufficiently developed to tempt me to pilfer a nest in that condi- 
tion. Next season, perhaps, I may happen along that way a couple of weeks 
earlier, and should a good set of eggs be my reward I shall prize them more 
highly when I remember my previous acquaintance with the Long-eared Owls. 
Speotyto cunieularia hypogaea. Burrowing Owl. 
Wishing to acquire a little more information as to the nidification of these 
fpieer little owls, I opened four nesting burrows on April 30, 1912; the first 
of these held six fresh eggs, with one of the birds on the nest. She proved a 
savage captive, lying on her back with bill snapping viciously and claws ex- 
tended while she squealed and scolded in the most approved owl fashion. Not 
wishing to injure or unnecessarily frighten her I soon released her. After a 
short undulating flight she perched on the mound of a burrow not 
far away, where she remained for some time. One of the other nests held 
large young birds, nearly feathered, while the other two burrows each claimed 
families of half-grown young. The number of each brood was not ascertained 
as I did not care to enlarge the burrows to such an extent as to allow the en- 
trance of any large animal. 
Around the mounds at the entrances to these excavations were miscellaneous 
collections of scraps, showing the kind of food that had been brought to the 
young owlets. A dried up section of some small snake, the legs of a frog, tufts 
of fur and bones of mice, were identified, together with large numbers of 
wings and shells of beetles. These, and other large insects, it seemed, had 
formed the greater part of the food of newly hatched birds, the diet of meat 
gradually becoming more common as the young grew stronger. From the stand- 
point of the agriculturist a pair of these interesting little owls must prove a 
valuable asset to any farm. 
Lanins ludoviciaims gambeli. California Shrike. 
Last spring, while passing a willow tree growing near a canal at the road- 
side, I noticed a shrike perched on the topmost twig. As this is usually an in- 
dication of a nest, I stopped to investigate, and soon located the framework of a 
nest that had probably been commenced only a day or two before my visit. 
Three weeks later (March 23, 1912) I found myself in the same locality, and 
decided to look up my shrikes ; but before reaching the place I saw another nest 
in the drooping branches of a tree not over one hundred yards from the site 
of the first one mentioned. Seeing the tail of the sitting bird over the edge of 
the nest, I supposed my shrikes had moved for some reason ; so, after the owner 
had flitted from her nest and skimmed along to a convenient weed stalk, I ex- 
amined the contents and was rewarded with eight nearly fresh eggs. As this was 
