NATURE STUDY IN SCHOOLS. 



211 



'* I think if you go far in that direction you will bring up in the ever- 

 glades," said Paul. " Wait until I get the moccasin's head and I will show 

 you the way out." 



He secured the head, placed it in a tin box which he had in his bas- 

 ket just as he had seen the Professor do with the rattlesnake, then led the 

 way back towards the piny woods. The boys had gone but a short dis- 

 tance when a shadow, orossing the sun, caused Paul to look up just in time 

 to see a large owl sailing off through the tree tops, and following him with 

 his eyes, saw him alight in a huge cypress swamp a few hundred yards awav. 



"See that owl!" he exclaimed. "Wait until I go on ahead and 

 shoot him. I can see where he stopped." Going forward a few rods, he 

 took a deliberate aim with his rifle; the report rang out an:l in a mo- 

 ment a heavy splash announced that the bird had fallen. Upon picking it up 

 Harry, who had gone ahead, while Paul stopped to reload, exclaimed in a 



Fig. 96. 



fc =E 



Young Florida Mottled Owl. 



