As a nesting site, hollow trees are more frequently chosen. However, nests built of twigs and lined with grass are not infrequent. These are usually placed on the tops of stumps or among the branches of dense cone-bearing trees. The number of eggs varies from three to seven, and are frequently laid long before the ice and snow have disappeared. “The eggs vary from oval to oblong oval in shape, are pure white in color, and somewhat glossy, the shell is smooth and fine-grained.” Incubation begins as soon as the first egg is laid, and both sexes participate in this duty, and occasionally both are found on the nest at the same time. At the nesting season the courage of both sexes is very marked. The male will fight with its talons, and even when wounded will still defend itself. We are told by Mr. Gentry that “calmly and silently it maintains its ground, or springs from a short distance on its foe. So, bravely it dies, without thought of glory and without a chance of fame; for of its kind there are no cowards.” This bird, like the other species of owls, though possibly not to so great an extent because of its diurnal habits, is looked upon by the Indian tribes as a bird of ill omen and by some tribes all owls are called “death birds.” As a whole, the hawk owls are perhaps more useful to man than any other birds that are not used as food. They cause but little trouble in the poultry yard and are of incalculable value to the farmer because of the large number of small rodents that they destroy. A BIRD CALENDAR BY THE POETS. January. This is not the month of singing birds. “Silently overhead the hen-hawk sails With watchful, measuring eye, and for his quarry waits.” —Lowell. February. Sometimes a flock of strange birds descends upon us from the north—the crossbills. There is an old tradition that the red upon their breast was caused by the blood of our Saviour, as they sought to free Him with their bills from the cross. “And that bird is called the Crossbill, Covered all with blood so dear, In the groves of pine it singeth Songs, like legends, strange to hear.” —Longfellow. March. No birds are more closely associated with early spring than the swallows. “Gallant and gay in their doublets grey, All at a flash like the darting of flame, Chattering Arabic, African, Indian— Certain of springtime, the swallows came. “Doublets of grey silk and surcoats of purple, Ruffs of russet round each little throat, Wearing such garb, they had crossed the waters, Mariners sailing with never a boat.” —Sir Edwin Arnold. April. “Winged lute that we call a Bluebird, You blend in a silver strain, The sound of the laughing waters, The sound of spring’s sweet rain,