THE GREAT HORNED OWL 



{Buho virginianus) 



A FEW pieces of down and some 

 feathers first drew my attention, and 

 when a short search presently revealed 

 more feathers caught in the ragged edges of 

 a broken-off old oak tree, my expectations 

 quickly mounted. I forthwith aimed a few 

 handy sticks at the broken tree top, and at 

 the second throw with startling suddenness, 

 the huge form and spreading wings of a great 

 horned owl emerged. Poising a moment, 

 threateningly, it then swerved up and away, 

 disappearing in the woods. 



Thrilling with the discovery of the old owl's 

 nest, I accomplished the twenty-five foot climb 

 in feverish haste, a final swing landing me in 

 a crotch looking down into the hollow top of 



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