HAUNTS OF THE FERN OWL. 



beauties that would go in a flower-pot. Down the 

 whole stretch runs a little stream, in places only a 

 foot wide, in which there are splendid trout, for it is 

 not the quantity but the quality of the water which 

 makes them thrive. Where a water-rat can live a 

 trout will get fat if the water is suitable. 



Not a sound is to be heard, saving a tinkling 

 sheep-bell. It is very hot, the very firs seem to be 

 asleep. Mind where you place your feet, for the 

 fern owl breeds on these sunny slopes. 



Flip ! the bird has gone. Look on the bare stones 

 where a rabbit in play has scratched the thin fine 

 turf off, forming a slight hollow. 



On a bit of dead fern and a blade or two of 

 withered grass lie two beautiful eggs, marbled over 

 in a way which matches the surroundings, to a degree 

 that sends you off in a brown study. Pick them up, 

 you cannot find them very often, and if you left 

 them for a little while the bird would come back, 

 and taking them one at a time she would carry them 

 away in her capacious mouth and place them else- 

 where. Quick ! Where shall we put them so that 

 they may be safe until we return ? We have it. 

 Close by, on a drooping juniper-branch, is a chaf- 



