“Just one little shot-pellet tipped him on the joint there,” he said. “He’ll be as good as ever in a few days.”
“May we keep him?” pleaded the lads.
“Yes, I guess so; but you’ll have to be careful or some one may get hurt.”
They promised to build a cage, and said they would tame and make a pet of their captive. They asked Ben what to feed it, and were much relieved when told it would eat anything in the way of meat.
“He’s a rascal, anyway, and a little term in prison won’t hurt him,” laughed the guide.
Then he told them that this species of owl murders and eats great numbers of rabbits, grouse, and smaller birds and animals. He declared that by jailing the individual in their possession they would no doubt save the lives of many little forest folks in the vicinity.
That afternoon, aided by Ben, they built a large rustic crate, or cage, with a log perch extending from end to end. They managed to get the owl inside, and when they had supplied him with some deer meat they pushed the crate against the wall and left the surly prisoner to his meditations.
Ben said they would undoubtedly see many strange tracks recorded in the snow on the following day. He explained how the various animals had remained close in their shelter during the fury of the storm; but, now it was over, they would venture forth in search of food.
After supper Ed and George dragged the crate into the center of the room. They sat down before it to study the fascinating white bird, which sat stolidly on its perch and gazed at them with its great, yellow eyes. They were amused and surprised to learn that it could turn its head almost in a complete circle without moving its body. After watching it do this for some time, Ed declared it must surely twist its own neck if it continued.
They learned from their books and from Ben that the snowy owl was an inhabitant of the far-off Arctic regions, and that it came down into this country in the winter, when it was driven south by snow, cold, and lack of food. Ben told them how it sailed through the forest and pounced upon a sleeping grouse or luckless rabbit before they were aware of its presence.