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Screech Owl

English Sparrow

Hairy Woodpecker
English Sparrow

65. Parus atricapillus
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near as they dared to the opening and endeavor to look in. I came out and they all began to scream when I started to climb up. I looked in and saw a Sc[[strikethrough]]reech Owl leaning against the side as far out of range of the hole as it could get. I caught it after a slight struggle in my hand. It struck savagely with its feet but did not bite. Its claws cut me in several places. It kept snapping its bill loudly. It was one of the red-colored ones. It seemed always to lean against something when at rest. Perhaps because it thought to escape observation better. The feathers were very thick and it had prominent horns. I put it in a covered pail and kept it until noon when I killed it. Before-hand I let it loose for a few minutes. It flew around and bumped into a looking glass twice after which it flew to a perch and gave a low [[squiggly underline]] Kwoa [[/underline] somewhat like one of the Burrowing Owl's notes. It glared at me with widely distended eyes but when I threw a ray of light on one it immediately contracted and then distended the other remaining the same. When perched its head looked bigger than the body giving it a top-heavy look. I have looked for one there several times because of the action of the Bluejays around it.
The Jays were not seen at all during the cold weather. English Sparrows seemed chilled through and devoid of fear. frequently I nearly stepped on them before they flew. Heard a single Hairy Woodpecker one morning but otherwise no others were noticed. Today it was warmer and the Sparrows were chirping like they do in the spring.
February 6, Saturday.
No. 65. Parus atricapillus. [[?Kelzeke's]] hollow near Millpond, North Freedom, Wis., [[?]] brown    bill blackish    tarsus blackish.