For Young Observers 



197 



Said he, "I guess that she's the kind 

 That people in museums find; 

 Some taxidermist by his skill 



Has stuffed the bird, she sits so still. 

 Ah me ! that eyes 

 Once made to see 

 Should naught 

 But ghostly specters be." 



At this she dropped her haughty head 



And cried, "I'm neither stuffed nor dead. 

 Oh ! weird and melancholy owl, 



Thou rival of the wolf's dread howl; 

 Since fate so planned, 

 I'll not decline 

 To be for life 

 Your valentine." 



SCREECH OWL 

 Photographed from life by A. L. Princehorn 



