LITTLE SOLOMON OTUS 



enough in the egg to last them all the days until they 

 hatched. 



Yes, many a time he had kept those eggs warm while 

 Mrs. Otus was away for a change; and many a time, too, 

 he stayed and kept her company Avhen she was there to 

 care for them herself. Now, it does n't really need two 

 owls at the same time to keep a few eggs warm. Of 

 course not ! So why should little Solomon have sat socia- 

 bl}^ cuddled down beside her? Perhaps because he was 

 fond of her and liked her companionship. It would have 

 been sad, indeed, if he had not been happ3^ in his home, 

 for he was an affectionate little fellow and had had some 

 difficulty in winning his mate. There had been, early in 

 their acquaintance, what seemed to Solomon a long time 

 during which she would not even speak to him. Why, 

 't is said he had to bow to her as many as twenty or 

 thirty times before she seemed even to notice that he 

 was about. But those days were over for good and all, 

 and Mrs. Otus was a true comrade for Solomon as well 

 as a faithful little mother. Together they made a happy 

 home, and were quite charming in it. 



They could be brave, too, when courage was needed, 

 as they gave proof the day that a boy wished he had n't 

 climbed up and stuck his hand in at their door-hole, to 

 find out what was there. While Mrs. Otus spread her 

 feathers protectingly over her eggs, Solomon lay on his 



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