over. Saw where a large hawk the goshawk 
presumably had been hunting mice on foot on a 
little marsh. Saw two brown creepers and shot 
one. They were singing. 
Birds seem very scarce now. ’Vent out to 
Seeley’s Creek on the new railroad with a handcar. 
In Dickie's marsh were a number of pine grosbeaks 
hopping around on the ice and drinking in the open 
places. They were seemingly fearless. 
December 8, 1903 - Tuesday. 
Tonight after school Mr. Stout and 1 went up 
hy the cemetery. Saw a junco sitting in some weeds 
as we v/ent. Coming back it was by the side of the 
road. It could only rise about a foot above the 
ground and after a short flight it dropped and I 
caught it. It was in fine plumage and I let it 
go again. I could find nothing the matter with 
it. I let it go again in some bushes. It was a 
male. 
December 10, 1903 - Thursday . 
During the last week of August I purchased 
from Veo Douglas for twenty-five cents a burrow¬ 
ing owl. It is now about a year and a half old. 
They had kept it in a small box and it was tame 
and did not*offer to bite. It was brought from 
Dakota while young. I put it in the cow stable, 
built a dirt-covered runway or hole for it, and 
put in a dirt floor. In a few days its character 
entirely changed. Tommy (its name) became cross 
and full of fight. When I turned to leave it 
always flew at my feet. It was not strong enough 
to break the skin but one day my brother came in 
with low shoes on and he had cause to regret his 
visit. Occasionally it let me stroke its head 
but every once in a while it would give my 
fingers a bite. It seemed to like the sensation 
but resented my touching it and sat still with 
half veiled eyes. 
