50 STORIES OF BIRDS AND BEASTS 



and even in winter I come into the United States only 

 when driven by snowstorms from the North. 



" At home I live chiefly on lemmings, which are a 

 sort of clumsy, short-tailed field-mice, not good for 

 anything but to be eaten. When I go visiting I may 

 take a little feathered game, but oftener I live on my 

 favorite mice, or go a-fishing in creeks that are not 

 frozen ; for I am a day Owl, and can see quite well in 

 the sunlight. You never see me except in winter, for 

 I am a thing of cold and snow, whose acquaintance you 

 can seldom cultivate ; but if you knew me well you 

 would find me gentle, kind, and willing to be friends 

 with you if you do not believe me, ask the Wise 

 Men." 



"Acquitted ! You see we are proving our innocence," 

 said the Eagle proudly. But he hesitated a moment 

 before calling upon the Great Horned Owl, as if he 

 himself doubted the honesty of this savage bird. 



He was large, nearly two feet high, with very long 

 ear-tufts and great staring yellow eyes in the middle 

 of his large flat face. He was mottled on the back and 

 wings with buff and black, had on a white cravat, and 

 his vest was barred with black, white, and buff ; his 

 sharp black talons were almost hidden by feathers, but 

 not so much so as the Snowy Owl's. 



" None of you like me because you are afraid of me, 

 and so you would rather condemn me than not," began 

 the Horned Owl fiercely. " But I am not afraid of 

 anything or anybody. I am a liberal parent and heap 

 my nest up with food, like all the Owl and Hawk 

 Brotherhood. If I wish a Hen or a Goose or a Turkey 

 I take it, though I may only care to eat the head ; for 



