The Prairie Owl 187 



feathered world has sunk into repose, the Owl sallies forth 

 on downy wing, and expanding to the fullest the pupils of 

 its wonderful organs of vision, or rather contracting the iris 

 to its smallest compass, glides along silently, like an animated 

 powder-puff, over the furrows, in search of lawful prey, namely, 

 the field mouse, which, pattering among the stubble, is all 

 unconscious of its impending fate, and never dreams that its 

 every movement is being watched by the small fleecy cloud 

 that hovers over the field, awaiting an opportunity to pounce 

 upon a victim. 



l^or has the Owl to wait very long: presently the mouse 

 finds a plump ear of corn, left by the gleaners when they 

 paced the furrows one by one to pick up all that the reapers 

 and binders had left behind; but scarce has the small rodent 

 squatted down upon its haunches, and borne the dainty morsel 

 to its mouth with its handy fore-paws, than a fearful foot, 

 emblematic indeed of destiny, is stretched down from the stars 

 and clutches mousie in a grip that is never more relaxed, 

 until the heart of the terror-stricken prey has beat its last; 

 when it is either devoured on the nearest stone, or fence, or 

 else borne away to the distant nest, where four clamorous 

 Owlets are awaiting, with what patience they can command, 

 the arrival of their parent with the evening meal, which to 

 them is breakfast. 



Ha! ha! he! he! they shout and hiss when he arrives, and 

 struggle which of them shall be the first to receive his share : 

 but the old Owl has no preference for one of his offspring to 

 the prejudice of the rest, he loves them all alike, and equally 

 divides the prey, which he conveys to each in turn: one, of 

 course, must receive his portion first, but it is always passed 

 by the impartial parent to the youngster that happens to be 

 nearest to him at the time, for there is no favouritism, no 

 rights of primogeniture in the Owl family, where all share 

 and share alike. 



The nest of the Owl, as might be gathered from the habits 



