264 AN OWVS HEAD HOLIDAY. 



marked. So when I grew weary of the at- 

 tempt, I bethought myself to try the efficacy of 

 an old device, well known to all collectors, and 

 proceeded to imitate, as well as I could, the 

 cries of some bird in distress. My warbler was 

 imperturbable. He had no nest or young to be 

 anxious about, and kept on singing. But pretty 

 soon I was apprised of something in the air, 

 coming toward me, and looking up, beheld a 

 large owl who appeared to be dropping straight 

 upon my head. He saw me in time to avoid 

 such a catastrophe, however, and, describing a 

 graceful curve, alighted on a low branch near 

 by, and stared at me as only an owl can. Then 

 away he went, while at the same instant a jay 

 dashed into the thicket and out again, shouting 

 derisively, " I saw you ! I saw you ! " Evi- 

 dently^ the trick was a good one, and moderately 

 well played ; in further confirmation of which 

 the owl hooted twice in response to some pecul- 

 iarly happy efforts on my part, and then actu- 

 ally came back again for another look. This 

 proved sufficient, and he quickly disappeared; 

 retiring to his leafy covert or hollow tree, to 

 meditate, no doubt, on the strange creature 

 whose unseasonable noises had disturbed his 

 afternoon slumbers. Likely enough he could 

 not readily fall asleep again for wondering how 

 I could possibly find my way through the woods 



