CHAPTER IV 



THE BIRD OF NIGHT 



{Owls) 



IF all classes of birds were as hard to become ac- 

 quainted with as the owls, the increasing thousands 

 of boys and girls, men and women, who discover 

 for themselves the fascination of the sport of bird study 

 would mostly get discouraged and try other things. 

 Even I must confess that I should need to see a bird 

 now and then to keep up my enthusiasm. But, as far 

 as the bird of night is concerned, sometimes, in spite of 

 all my efforts, whole seasons slip by without my meeting 

 with a single owl. Even Ned, with all his activity, has 

 but very few times in his life discovered an owl in the 

 wilds, other than what I had first located. The owls 

 are both scarce and secretive, usually remaining in 

 hiding during the daytime, and the student need not 

 be too much chagrined at being unable to find them. 

 Fortunately there are plenty of other birds to interest 

 and occupy one afield. So hunt away, keeping the 

 eyes peeled for the hid treasure, and some time, surely, 

 you will find the bird with the big eyes, and get such a 

 thrill of delicious excitement in your success that you 

 will not begrudge the waiting which made the joy of 

 attainment so keen. 



57 



