s eyes are turned away, and remembering that his ears are keen
enough to detect the passing of a mouse in the grass from an
incredible distance.

Sometimes the crows find one of these snowy visitors on the beach, and
make a great fuss and racket, as they always do when an owl is in
sight. At such times he takes his stand under a bank, or in the lee of
a rock, where the crows cannot trouble him from behind, and sits
watching them fiercely. Woe be to the one that ventures too near. A
plunge, a grip of his claw, a weak _caw_, and it's all over. That
seems to double the crows' frenzy--and that is the one moment when you
can approach rapidly from behind. But you must drop flat when the
crows perceive you; for the owl is sure to take a look around for the
cause of their sudden alarm. If he sees nothing suspicious he will
return to his shelter to eat his crow, or just to rest his sensitive
ears after all the pother. A quarter-mile away the crows sit silent,
watching you and him.

And now a curious thing happens. The crows, that a moment ago were
clamoring angrily about their enemy, watch with a kind of intense
interest as you creep towards him. Half way to the rock behind which
he is hiding, they guess your purpose, and a low rapid chatter begins
among them. One would think that they would exult in seeing him
surprised and killed; but that is not crow nature. They would gladly
worry the owl to death if they could, but they will not stand by and
see him slain by a common enemy. The chatter ceases suddenly. Two or
three swift fliers leave the flock, circle around you, and speed over
the rock, uttering short notes of alarm. With the first sharp note,
which all birds seem to understand, the owl springs into the air,
turns, sees you, and is off up the beach. The crows rush after him
with crazy clamor, and speedily drive him to cover again. But spare
yourself more trouble. It is useless to try stalking any game while
the crows are watching.

Sometimes you can drive or ride quite near to one of these birds, the
horse apparently removing all his suspicion. But if you are on foot,
take plenty of time and care and patience, and shoot your prize on the
first stalk if possible. Once alarmed, he will lead you a long chase,
and most likely escape in the end.

I learned the wisdom of this advice in connection with the first snowy
owl I had ever met outside a museum. I surprised him early one winter
morning eating a brant, which he had c