New-York tribune., 1882-04-09
CURIOSLTIES OFAN OWES NEST.
From The London Graphic.

From The LOnfOH Gruphic.
IL is commonly known that owls have two or
three sets of young in the course OF season; but as
far as | can make out, after sitting upon the lrst
egg or pair of eggs, and Matching the buds, no fur
ther effort in incubation is made. Directly after
the owlets out of the shell the hen-brd lays one
or two more beautiful white but does not SIT
deyOtlng herself to feeding the Unsuitable little
monsters she has started into life, and the warmth
of their bodies matches the next owlet. This one
Matched. another egg is laid with the same result
that it is yiyiled by the young ones warmth
escapes from the SHE'LL and once more an egg or two
occupy the nest SO that in the same corner IN
shallow dOwny spot may be seen an owlet three
parts grown. another half grown, another few
hours old and couple of eggS-louT stages IN all :
and If inspected by day, the three youngsters Will
be seen huddled together III very good fellowship,
one and ali fast asleep, and the eggs IN the coldest
place outside. The sight Is not pleasing as may be
supposed from the description of the young
owls: but if the eve is offended what Is to be SAID
of the nose? Take something in Il bad state of
pntrefaction and arthmetcally square it the re-
suit will be an approach to the loul 0dOr OF nest
of owls in hot weather. The reason is not far to
seek, when it is borne in mind that the Owl Is
bird of prey; but all the same | have visited the
nest earlier in the season and found the place quite
scentess. and that too at u time when ranged IN
semcircle about the young we're no less thah
twenty-five young rats and iull-grown mce so
fresh that they must have been caught during the
preceding night the larder being supplemented by
a couple of young rabbits. If then pair OF owls
provide many specimens of mlschleyous yeImin
in night. they certainly earn the title ol trends
1t may be argued that, inhabitng pgeoncote
the Youngsters were the OuSprlnS OF TWO or turre
pairs; but as far as | can make out q single pair
only occupy the cote from year to year, the young
birds seeking home elsewhere; and may say for
certain that the old birds dc not come near their
young and eggs Dy day. generally passing the time
in some ivy-shaded tree while the sun is above
the horizon far away from the cote containing their
slfcping babes. When fully edged and nearly
ready to fly if the strong scent is risked and visit
paid the birds start into something approaching to
wakefulness, and, huddling mp together Will stare
and hiss at the intruder. ready to resist handling
" ith beak and claw-and a clutch from Il full
grown owls set of claws is light matter; for
nature has endowed them with most powerful
muscles and adaptablty for thelr use that Is
most striking When hunting for food, the OWL
glides along on silent wing beside some barn or
stack. and woe betidc the covering mouse OF rat
ling that is Dusy on the grain. As the owl passes
over, down goes one leg. and four sharp claws have
snatched the little quadruped from the ground. the
four points seeming to slope towara common
centre so that escape is impossible. Every seizure
is performed with the claws: the beak being re-
served fo- dividing the animal when too large. and
not degraded into forming an instrument for seizure
OF carriage OF prey. have had owls calmly seated
upon my hand but for Il very short time and can
not recommend ladies to try them Tor pets; for the
sooner they are perchcd else where the more pleas
ant il is for the skin, their claws being eAqusltcly
sharp.