204 WOODLAND CREATURES 



in a hollow oak in which he had been hatched, 

 but the lad soon found difficulty in feeding his 

 pet, and was only too glad to pass him on to 

 me when I hinted that I would take him over. 

 I merely wanted to save the owlet from a 

 miserable existence in an old box, intending to 

 return him to the woods as soon as he could 

 earn his own living. He was then covered 

 with greyish-white down, through which a few 

 feathers were coming. His curious, bleary-look- 

 ing great eyes, the red rims of which gave them 

 a weak appearance, blinked unceasingly at 

 you, and the peculiar effect was enhanced by 

 what appeared to be a grey film passing now and 

 again across one of them ; for owls possess 

 that " third eyelid/ 1 the nictitating membrane, 

 and young ones, especially when frightened, 

 make much use of it. This youngster was 

 certainly afraid, and snapped his large beak in 

 a vain attempt at intimidation whenever I went 

 near. When one tried to touch him he adopted 

 the usual defence of young birds of prey, rolling 

 on his back and striking with his well-armed 

 feet. In this attitude he was rather a ludicrous 

 sight, for his long down-covered legs looked as 

 if clad in grey woollen stockings ; but it was no 

 joke when he did get a grip, as his claws were 

 long and sharp. But strong gloves that defied 

 his talons, together with plenty of patience, 

 enabled me to work wonders ; soon Hooter 

 began to recognize that I brought him his food, 

 and to look upon me as a friend. It was not 



