are concealed between two large valves. From the edges of these proceed the feathers which form the outer ring of the disk which encircles the face of an owl. 7. The valves can be drawn apart to let in sound when the bird is listening intently. Being so noiseless and working in the silence of the night, he cannot fail to catch the slightest sound. 8. The sharp, hooked beak and the strong talons, which can be drawn back into sheaths like a cat's, at once show the owl to be a bird of prey. Owls have no crops, and swallow their prey very freely. The indigestible portions of the food, such as bones, feathers, beaks and claws of birds are rejected by the stomach, brought up and ejected from the mouth in the form of small pellets. 9. The owl lays its three or four eggs on a mass of these disgorged pellets, instead of in an ordinary nest. The barn owl is useful to the farmer, because it devours, not only mice, but large numbers of beetles and other destructive insects. 10. The largest of American owls is the great horned owl. It preys upon small animals and other birds. Its home is usually near some marshy spot in the lonely forests. Its fierceness and strength have led to its being called a "tiger among birds." 11. Sleeping and resting in seclusion by day, it comes forth by night into the open and inhabited parts to swoop silently down upon unwary and suitable prey. This large owl is more common in the western states. 12. The snowy owl comes from the cold north THE HORNED OWL. and only visits us during the winter. The smallest and perhaps most common of owls is the hoot owl, a terror to whisking fieldmice, baby bunnies and superstitious people. 13. The mice and bunnies have just cause to dread its presence, but no person need fear its dismal cry, for it is only a call to its lonely mate. In olden times the screech of the owl was believed to foretell some trouble or disaster, but most people know better in these days. Mourn not for the owl, nor his gloomy plight! The owl hath his share of good: If a prisoner he be in the broad daylight, Thrice fonder perhaps, since a strange, dark fate 1. As birds flit from tree to tree, or dart playfully about, there seems little of seriousness in their lives. Yet a close study of their ways reveals cares and perplexities peculiar to bird life. 2. The anticipation of a brood of feathered babies necessitates the building of a home. Nooks and crannies must be investigated and a location agreed upon. Then material suitable for the building of the nest must be found and gathered. 3. The Baltimore oriole's swinging nest is a sample of prudence and skill. Far out on the branch of an elm it hangs, moored there with greatest care. The strongest materials are placed at the top of the nest. First they are intertwined and fastened about the branches and twigs, then, with many a loop and turn, they are cleverly woven through the body of the nest in order to brace and balance it. 4. Twine, cord, yarn, hempen fibres torn from milkweed stalks, horsehairs, pigs' bristles, plant down, wool and feathered wings of seeds, all have a place in the oriole's nest. In localities where hawks are numerous these nests are built much longer and are more closely drawn together at the top, in order to conceal the mother bird and fledglings. 5. The nests of the vireos are among the daintiest of bird cradles. They are cup-shaped and pendent. One side of the nest is fastened with cocoon-silk to a branching twig, while the other side is allowed to swing free. The rim of the nest is soft, thick and smoothly rounded, making a famous perch. 6. Bark from birch trees and grapevines, leaves, pieces of hornets' nest, bits of wood and other material may be found in a vireo's nest. These birds have a pronounced fondness for newspapers and cast-off snakeskins. When these prized materials can be procured they are placed to the best advantage in the nest. To add the finishing touches the nest is orna |
