until we placed her on another limb and continued on our way. We returned over the same course some five hours later and imagine our surprise when, on reaching the last mentioned place, the first thing that met our gaze was the remnants of a perfectly fresh Screech Owl's egg. This egg lay broken on the ground directly beneath the spot where we had last placed the bird. The broken shell was soft and pliable and was all coiled up. The white and yolk were of a very thin and watery nature. I found the owl a few feet away on the ground, among some thick shrub roots. She was in the same numb, senseless condition, and I took her in my hand and placed her again in the cavity, where she immediately became very active. In my opinion, there are two ways of solving this problem, if such I may call it. Either the owl was in such a sleepy, insensible state that she dropped the egg in the ordinary course of laying, supposing she was on the nest, or she was so overcome by fright or pain that she was compelled to drop it. The former seems the more plausible theory. This incident may serve to open up the question as to whether a female bird has, under any circumstances or conditions, anv control whatever over the laying of her eggs, or whether, when the time comes, no matter where she finds herself, she must then and there deposit them. I think that it would be a very interesting question to discuss. A. I. McCORMICK. Bakersfield. Cal.
Photo from life by Mr. J. G. Dudley.
HARPY EAGLE. ( Thrasaetus harlkyia.)
We are indebted to Mr. A. B. Baker of the National Zoological Park. Washington, D. C.. for the photograph of this interesting eagle. Mr. Baker informs us that "the bird was presented by the Governor of the State of Amazonas. Brazil, to Commander C. C. Todd of the USS Wilmington for the National Zoological Park. It has been at the Park for two years and is still apparently in perfect health."
