FEBRUARY FEATHERS 



FEBRUARY holes are most interesting places 

 and one never knows what will be found in 

 the next one investigated. It is a good plan, in 

 one's walks in the early fall, to make a mental 

 map of all the auspicious looking trees and holes, 

 and then go the rounds of these in winter as a 

 hunter follows his line of traps. An old, neg- 

 lected orchard may seem perfectly barren of life ; 

 insects dead, leaves fallen, and sap frozen; but 

 the warm hearts of these venerable trees may 

 shelter much beside the larvae of boring beetles, 

 and we may reap a winter harvest of which the 

 farmer knows nothing. 



Poke a stick into a knot-hole and stir up the 

 leaves at the bottom of the cavity, and then look 

 in. Two great yellow eyes may greet you, glaring 

 intermittently, and sharp clicks may assail your 

 ears. Reach in with your gloved hand and bring 

 the screech owl out. He will blink in the sun- 

 shine, ruffling up his feathers until he is twice his 

 real size. The light partly blinds him, but toss 

 him into the air and he will fly without difficulty 

 and select with ease a secluded perch. The instant 

 he alights a wonderful transformation comes over 

 him. He stiffens, draws himself as high as pos- 



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