264 AN se HEAD HOLIDAY. 
marked. So when I grew weary of the at- 
tempt, I bethought myself to try the efficacy of 
an old device, well known to all collectors, and 
proceeded to imitate, as well as I could, the 
cries of some bird in distress. My warbler was 
imperturbable. He had no nest or young to be 
anxious about, and kept on singing. But pretty 
soon I was apprised of something in the air, 
coming toward me, and looking up, beheld a 
large owl who appeared to be dropping straight 
upon my head. He saw me in time to avoid 
such a catastrophe, however, and, describing a 
graceful curve, alighted on a low branch near 
by, and stared at meas only an owl can. Then 
away he went, while at the same instant a jay 
dashed into the thicket and out again, shouting 
derisively, “I saw you! I saw you!” Evi- 
dently the trick was a good one, and moderately 
well played; in further confirmation of which 
the owl hooted twice in response to some pecul- 
larly happy efforts on my part, and then actu- 
ally came back again for another look. This 
proved sufficient, and he quickly disappeared ; 
retiring to his leafy covert or hollow tree, to 
meditate, no doubt, on the strange creature 
whose unseasonable noises had disturbed his 
afternoon slumbers. Likely enough he could 
not readily fall asleep again for wondering how 
I could possibly find my way through the woods 
