MORNING 



and from North to South, and filled 

 each feathered breast with a furtive 

 restlessness. Watchful eyes were alert 

 to all movements and all ears strained 

 to catch the slightest sound. The crows 

 had discovered an enemy and, with a 

 clamouring uproar, were congregating 

 from all directions. 



In the top of a sugar maple it sat, 

 opening its large eyes now and then in 

 dazed fashion and stupidly twisting its 

 head about in jerks. The crows moved 

 all about it, keeping a respectful dis- 

 tance, however, but setting up a steady, 

 deafening din of harsh cawing. This 

 short-eared owl, remaining out on a 

 protracted search for mice or larger 

 game, had been discovered by the crows 

 and followed relentlessly. Now it 

 essayed escape in dodging, but its usual 

 steady, silent ways were changed to 

 tentative flight from one thick tree to 

 another, while the crows dived and 

 menaced it from all sides, breaking out 

 afresh each time in their bedlam of 

 noise. 



In all the owl's short and stormy pas- 

 103 



