Peter Sees Two Terrible Feathered Hunters 



and he wanted to find some one of whom he could 

 ask questions. 



Presently he met his cousin, Jumper the Hare, 

 and at once in a most excited manner told him all he 

 had seen. 



Jumper listened until Peter was through. "If 

 you'll take my advice," said he, "you'll keep 

 away from that part of the Green Forest, Cousin 

 Peter. From what you tell me it is quite clear to 

 me that the Hooties have begun nesting." 



"Nesting !" exclaimed Peter. "Nesting ! Why, 

 gentle Mistress Spring will not get here for a month 

 yet !" 



"I said nesting," retorted Jumper, speaking 

 rather crossly, for you see he did not like to have 

 his word doubted. "Hooty the Great Horned 

 Owl doesn't wait for Mistress Spring. He and 

 Mrs. Hooty believe in getting household cares out 

 of the way early. Along about this time of year 

 they hunt up an old nest of Redtail the Hawk or 

 Blacky the Crow or Chatterer the Red Squirrel, 

 for they do not take the trouble to build a nest 

 themselves. Then Mrs. Hooty lays her eggs while 

 there is still snow and ice. Why their youngsters 

 don't catch their death from cold when they hatch 

 out is more than I can say. But they don't. I'm 

 sorry to hear that the Hooties have a nest here this 

 year. It means a bad time for a lot of little folks 

 [3411 



