THE BIRD OF NIGHT 



with the suggestion of stormy weather. If they were 

 accustomed to have comfortable nests, we might think 

 that the approaching storm aroused longing for the 

 kixuries of home. But as their homes are most un- 

 comfortable places, and only one of the pair occupies 

 it at the same time, we cannot explain the mystery so 

 easily. The only plausible reason I can think of is 

 that the rise of temperature which accompanies the 

 approach of storm, together with the increasing damp- 

 ness, brings some conditions of early spring, at which 

 time they are accustomed to nest. Yet hardly has the 

 light spring fancy of love awakened before the cold 

 northwest wind in the rear of the storm area puts it to 

 sleep again. But these are the times to take advantage 

 of, to learn where the owl lives. Don't stick in the 

 house those winter afternoons. A good winter's tramp, 

 or drive, with a bird quest in view, is exhilarating and 

 delightful. Why shouldn't you enjoy the distinction 

 among your admiring and almost envious bird-loving 

 cronies of having yourself found a big owl's nest.^ I 

 never can forget how I felt, when a boy, attending the 

 Boston Latin School, when one Monday morning one 

 of my schoolmates announced in tones of exultation 

 that on the preceding Saturday he had found a Barred 

 Owl's nest. I had never found any sort of an owl's 

 nest, and that youth became, in my eyes, a real hero, a 

 mighty Hercules, almost. If he had become President 

 of the United States in later years I should have felt 

 but the tiniest fraction of the hero-worship which I then 



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