9^ 



AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



SAW-WHET OWL. 



A TRUE INCIDENT, 



Such an adventure came to me, 



Methought, to our young friends I'll write 

 No Sinbad sailing o'er the sea 



Has ever seen so strange a sight. 



Upon a bright and balmy day, 



When Bluebirds whispered "Spring is here,' 

 And smiling nature seemed to say 



"Sweet flowers and birds will soon appear." 



A sheltered sunny bank I found 



And resting there wrapped deep in thought 

 I soon was roused by whirring sound — 



There in my hair a bird was caught. 



The bird was dressed in plumage gray 



Flecked 'cross the back with spots of brown^ 



I raised my hands, and then straightway 

 Folded the stranger in my gown. 



