Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-04
would DO useless.

he would DO useless. He learns
10 know the man who feeds him. and 70
regard him with little more tolerance
than other members Of tho human fam
ily but even bis keeper must hsndio
him with the greatest caution, rs his
boak and talons are iormidsble weapons.
and he has no soruple whatever about
using them. Most ferestsrs in the high
or Austrian Alps have an owl OF this
kind, or at least know there is enc in tho
neiehborhood which they can borrow or
occasion.
When you have an owl the next thing
is 10 determine the scene OF your ex-
pleiis. An exposed upland meadow
borlered by woods is the best. Here q
kind of hat is built OF branches Topped
from the neighboring trees in such way
as 10 conceal the persons within while
allowing them free outlook in all direc-
tious. At n convenient distance and
generally somewhat above the hut e
dead and leahe,s boueh. with a single
cross branch from three to four feet
above the earth, is erected. IL must be
stout and firmly driven into the turf, for
it is 10 serve - perch for your owl,
which is heavy and 10y no means wanting
in vigor. When these arrangements have
been made it is best to leave the place
unVisited for two or three days.
On the day when the adventure is to
be consummated the sportsman carries
his gun and the keeper the owl to tho
hut the latter is fastened 90 the stake
by light chain. which must be long
enough 10 enable the bird 10 tlutter from
the perch to the ground, and go o yard
or so in every direction. To the chain a
long cord is attached, the other end OF
which 10 placed IN the hut. It's purpose
is to enliyen tho owl II he shows signs
OF drowsinessa slight pull will wake him
up. and a rather stronger one Will induce
him 10 hutter down from the branch or
to return to it again, as the case may be.
As soon az these arrangements havebeen
completed everybody present retires to
the hut, aud the owl seats himself on his
perch and turns his head round and
round with sn expression n his eyes
which seems to say that he is disguised
with things in general and bis own posi-
ton in particular.
If the sportsman has any luck flight
of the small mountain crows will soon
circle, caving loudly, above their
feashered enemy. They have bad
name as egg-stes'ers, but the forester
does not shoot at them, because he
knows their angry cries are likely to at
tract larger birds, aud they themselves
rarely venture 10 attack the owl. X
they do it simply raises all its
feathers, which makes it look twice
its real size and are sufficient
protection. When threatened by more
powerful enemies it 1ut,ers down and
throws itself on its back in this position
1t is match for all but the very largest
birds Of prey. IL rarely comes to this.
however since as soon As a hawk or ra-
ven is fairly within shot it is usually
brought down or else frightened away 10y
the discharge of the gun.
This sport may he practiced with sue
cess at almost any hour except full noon,
but the dawn "a considered the best
time; and such an excursion to one OF
the huts has many charms besides those
that depend upon the slaughter OF birds
which, however hateful they may be to
the game-keeper. the lonely wanderer
can hardly help regarding as his com
rades. The sharp night walk through
the light mountain ar, the gradual
awakening of nature, tho scent OF tho
fr-trees, are sll eujoyments in them
selves and it may be added that they
tend TO sharpen your appetite for tho
excellent though simple lunch which
your host, II no be IL true sportsman,
will certainly have provided.