100 
BIRD LIFE IN WASHINGTON 
me closely. I walked round and round 
them but their big eyes were always upon 
me. 
They were young Long-Eared Owls but 
they were full grown. I suppose they 
lived in the same nest or they would not 
have been so friendly. 
c/ 
Both the Long and the Short-Eared 
Owls deserve good names, for they are the 
farmer’s friends. They make war upon 
mice, rats, other gnawing animals, and in¬ 
sects. The Eared Owls are large birds but 
they are smaller than the Horned Owls. 
HORNED OWLS 
The Horned Owls are fine looking big 
birds. When their wings are spread 
they look as large as Eagles. Indeed 
their extent of wings is almost as great as 
that of the Eagles. 
Their reputation may not quite equal 
their beauty for they know very well the 
value of a good fat hen. 
One of the prettiest Owls I ever saw 
paid a heavy price for Ins love of chickens 
tlie other day in a neighbor’s yard. I could 
not help thinking, “What a sacrifice of 
beauty for just a hen.” But the beautiful 
bird had to die—“lie bit the chicken’s head 
right off.” 
I have a friend who always lias a good 
word for the birds. He says he likes 
chickens, too, but he does not think he 
