not the coat should be
longer, to cover the tops of the new boots, the raven caught sight of
his own reflection in the clear water below.

So pleased was he with his appearance that he flapped his wings, and
jumped up and down.

The loose white feathers flew in every direction. The pin-feathers
dropped to the ground. The angry owl gasped for breath.

Then in a rage she seized the lamp. She flung it at the raven. Alas,
for the poor fellow! The oil struck him full on the head. It ran down
before. It ran down behind! There was not a dry feather on him!

"Quag! Quag!" croaked he, the oil dripping down on all sides. "Quag!
Quag! I shall never speak to you again!"

"No," cried the owl. "Do not speak to me again. I would not have such
a sooty friend as you!" and she flew far away.

[1] Adapted from Ethnological Bureau Report.

THE OWL

When icicles hang by the wall,
And Dick the shepherd blows his nail,
And Tom bears logs into the hall,
And milk comes frozen home in pail;
When blood is nipped and ways be foul,
Then nightly sings the staring owl,
"Tu-who!
Tu-whit! tu-who!" a merry note,
While greasy Jean doth clean the pot.

--"Love's Labour's Lost," Shakespeare.

ALL ABOUT THE BARRED OR HOOT OWL

SUGGESTIONS FOR FIELD LESSONS

Notes--deep-toned, startling hoot.

Heard most frequently at nesting time.

Upper parts brown, marked with white--face gray, mottled with black,
wings and tail barred with brown, eyes blue black, bill yellow, under
parts buff marked with darker, legs and feet feathered, bill and claws
dark, hooked, strong.

Feeds on chicken, mice, etc.

Usually take an old crow's or woodpecker's nest for their own
use--rarely make nests for themselves. Nest very early in the season,
young being sometimes ready to fly early in March.

THE BOBOLINK

[Illustration: The Bobolink]

A SUMMER SONG

He sat upon the tallest bending grass stalk. He paid not the slightest
attention to Phyllis. He just swung lightly with the June breezes, and
sang his little heart out.

Such a careless, joyous, jingling song Phyllis had never before heard.
It seemed just a bubbling-over of happiness and gladness.

And such a common-looking little fellow to have such a wonderful voice!
He was but a little larger than a sparrow.

His plumage was mostly black. His wings and tail were edged with pale
yellow, and there were splashes of white i