144 Ztnantu of f^t JEvttn 



might steal upon them at the height of 

 their sport, and the fun began. 



First, they amused themselves by 

 merely circling about the tree, keeping 

 up such a cawing that the noise was al- 

 most deafening. But by degrees they 

 grew bolder, and occasionally a crow 

 would dart into the tree, where two 

 winking, blinking great horned owls sat, 

 guarding their nest from this noisy horde. 



They did not much fear the crows, but 

 it was most annoying to have the quiet 

 of their home so invaded by such a noisy 

 company. 



Finally the noisy gentleman in black 

 perched on a limb within six or eight feet 

 of the nest, and began deriding the two 

 yellow-eyed creatures. 



" Ca-a-t-t-s-s- Ca-a-t-t-s-s- " he called, 

 his remark being intended to describe 

 the catlike face of the owl. 



