BIRD STORIES 



So he hunted on silent wings the bright night long; 

 and though he did not starve himself, as we can guess 

 from what we know about his breakfast of rare mouse- 

 steak, still, the tenderest arid softest delicacies he took 

 home to five fine youngsters, who welcomed their father 



Solomon knew the runways of the mice. 



with open mouths and eager appetite. Though h-e made 

 his trips as quickly as he could, he never came too soon 

 to suit them — the hungry little rascals. 



They were cunning and dear and lovable. Even a per- 

 son could see that, to look at them. It is not surprising 

 that their own father was fond enough of them to give 

 them the greater part of the game he caught. He had, 

 indeed, been interested in them before he ever saw them 

 — while they were still within the roundish white egg- 

 shells, and did not need to be fed because there was food 



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