RED OWL. 
99 
28 . STRIX ASIO, WILSON. RED OWL. 
WILSON, PLATE XLII. FIG. I. * 
This is another of our nocturnal wanderers, well 
known by its common name, the Little Screech Owl ; 
and noted for its melancholy quivering 1 kind of wailing 
in the evenings, particularly towards the latter part of 
summer and autumn, near the farm house. On clear 
moonlight nights, they answer each other from various 
parts of the fields or orchard ; roost during the day in 
thick evergreens, such as cedar, pine, or juniper trees, 
and are rarely seen abroad in sunshine. In May, they 
construct their nest in the hollow of a tree, often in 
the orchard in an old apple tree ; the nest is composed 
of some hay and a few feathers ; the eggs are four, 
pure white, and nearly round’. The young are at first 
covered with a whitish down. 
This specimen I kept for several weeks in the room 
beside me. It was caught in a barn, where it had taken 
up its lodging, probably for the greater convenience of 
mousing ; and being unhurt, I had an opportunity of 
remarking its manners. At first, it struck itself so 
forcibly against the window, as frequently to deprive it, 
seemingly, of all sensation for several minutes : this was 
done so repeatedly, that 1 began to fear that either the 
glass or the owl’s skull must give way. In a few days, 
however, it either began to comprehend something of 
the matter, or to take disgust at the glass, for it never 
repeated its attempts ; and soon became quite tame and 
familiar. Those who have seen this bird only in the 
day, can form but an imperfect idea of its activity, and 
even sprightliness, in its proper season of exercise. 
Throughout the day, it was all stillness and gravity ; 
its eyelids half shut, its neck contracted, and its head 
shrunk seemingly into its body ; but scarcely was the 
sun set, and twilight began to approach, when its eyes 
became full and sparkling, like two living globes of fire ; 
* This appears to be the young of the mottled owl. 
