The Great Horned Owl 



There it perched, almost within arm's reach, 

 long ears erect, the powerful talons of its stout, 

 feathered legs gripping and contracting with 

 readiness for action, the large, relentless eyes 

 fixing me with deadly intentness. The camera 

 was unfortunately tied in place for photo- 

 graphing the nest, and as it was thus out of 

 commission for the occasion I had to sit astride 

 a limb, content to observe and wait. A hostile 

 move toward the young would have invited 

 vengeance, but no further provocation being 

 oiFered, the bird presently glided away. 



This close introduction apparently lessening 

 the awe in which it had held its visitor, it now 

 perched still nearer and was presently joined 

 by its mate, both sitting statue-like side by 

 side only a few yards away. Having obtained 

 satisfactory photographs, I was now ready to 

 descend. I was about half way down when 

 something struck me a blow just behind the 

 right ear, nearly breaking my grip. I was so 



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