12 STORIES OF BIRD LIFE 



season was quite gone. Swallows and others have been 

 seen to engage in similar diversions. 



It sometimes occurred that a large hawk would come to the 

 farm near by and take a chicken. As a preventive against 

 such raids the farmer planted near his chicken yard some 

 tall poles. On cross pieces near the top of these he tied a 

 number of gourds, in each of which a round entrance hole 

 had been cut. This was a standing invitation to purple 

 martins, who read by the sign that here were rooms to let. 

 So it happened that each season several pairs made these 

 gourds their homes. 



Martins keep a sharp lookout for hawks. I often noticed, 

 however, that the sparrow hawk or his mate discovered 

 the presence of the chicken killer before the martins, and 

 by their loud cries and bold attacks quickly drove it from 

 the neighborhood. 



One cloudy summer afternoon a great horned owl came 

 out of the big woods and alighted on a pine near the farm. 

 Now, most birds dislike the larger hawks because they 

 sometimes catch small birds ; they have little relish for the 

 crow, for he has been known to steal eggs ; but they hate, 

 literally hate and dread an owl. His dark deeds are done 

 nnder cover of the midnight shadows when all are asleep. 

 Like a thief in the night, he descends upon the uncon- 



