100 OUT WITH THE BIRDS 



wheat-shock in a grain-field, waiting to get a 

 shot at some sandhill cranes that were feeding 

 nearby, I had more fun than usual with these 

 little owls. Xoting two hunting around, a short 

 distance off, I squeaked and called them in. Up 

 they came till their bright little eyes looked into 

 mine, at a distance of three or four feet, then 

 they passed over my head. When I repeated 

 the call they returned instantly, and then ap- 

 parently out of curiosity lit on the nearest shock 

 and sat and worked their heads in a most inter- 

 ested manner. Soon another, and another came 

 — the evening was so calm that they had heard 

 my call at a great distance — till five of the little 

 hunters were lighted around me or undulating 

 about awing. 



I cuddled down low in the sheaves and when 

 next I called I rustled a straw, after the manner 

 of a mouse. Instantly they were all awing again, 

 and in their anxiety to find their victim, several 

 times almost brushed my cap, yet in no case 

 could I detect the slightest sound of a feather. 

 Suddenly one chap shouted, "Meouse"! and 

 one or two of the others took it up and repeated 

 it several times. There w^as something decidedly 

 ludicrous about the tone and distinct enunciation 



