Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-07-26

CURIosITIEs OF AN OWLS NESr.-It is
commonly known that owls have two or
three sets Of young in the course of sea-
son; but as far as | can make out, after
sitting upon the first egg, or pair of eggs,
aud Matching the birds. no further effort in
incubation is made. Directly after the
owle,s are out of the she'll the hen bird
lays one or two more beautiful white eggs,
but does not sit, devoting herself to feed
ing the Unsuitable little monsters she has
started into life, and the warmth of their
bodies matches the next owlet. This one
hatched, ar other is laid with the same re
suit and it is vivilied by the young one 8
warmth, escapes from the shell, 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
four stages in all; and, if inspected by
day, the three youngsters will he seen
huddled together in very good fellowship,
one and all asleep, and the eggs in the
coolest place outside. The sight is not
pleasing, as may be supposed from the
description of the young owls; but if the
eye is offended, what is to be said of the
nose? Take something in bad state Of
putrefact,on and arithmeticalIy square it,
the result will be an approach to the foul
odor Of nest of owls in hot weather. The
reason is not far to seek, when it is borne
in mind that the owl is q bird of prey
but all the same | have visited the nest
earlier in the season, and found the place
quite sccntess, and that, too, at time
when ranged in q semicircle about the
young were no less than twenty-five young
rats and full grown mice, so fresh thai
they must have been caught during the
previous night, the larder being supple
mented by couple of young rabbits. II
then pair of owls dispose of so many
. speCments of mischiovous vermin in q
night, they certainly earn the title o
friends of man.
1t may be argued that, inhabiting 4
pigeon cote, the youngsters were tho of
springs of two or three pairs; but as far n.
can make out, single pair occupy The
cote from year 10 year, tho young bird
seeking home elsewhere; and may say
for certain that the old birds do not come
near their young and eggs by day, gener
ally passing the time in somo ivy-shadet
tree while the sun is above tho horizon
far away from the cote containing theil
sleeping babes. When fully fledged anC
nearly ready to 6y, if tho strong scent il
risked and visit paid, the birds start into
something approaching to wakelulnes
and, budding up together, will stare ant
hiss at the intruder, ready to resist hand
ling with beak and claw-and u clutcl
from full-grown OWLS set of claws is nc
light matter; for nature has endowed them
with most powerful muscles. and ar
adaptability for their use that is most strik
ing. When hunting for food. the ow
glides along on silent wing beside somt
barn or stack, and woe betide the COVER
ing mouse or railing that is busy on the
grainl AS the owl passes over, dowr
goes one leg, and four sharp claws have
snatched the little quadruped from th,
ground, the four points seeming to slop,
toward a common centre, so that escap,
is impossible. Every seizure is performed
with the claws; the beak being reserved
for dividing the animal when too largo
and not degraded into forming an instru
ment for seizure or carriage of prey.
have had owls calmly seated upon III,
hand, but for very short time, and | can
not recommend ladies to try them fo
pets; for the sooner they are perche,
elsewhere the more pleasant it is for tn
skin, their claws being exquisitely sharp
London Graphic.