"I guess Mrs. Hooty is very ab1e to take care of herse1f, " hegrumb1ed, "but she ought not to be disturbed whi1e she is sitting onthose eggs. I hate to go back there in that bright sunshine. Ithurts my eyes, and I don't 1ike it, but I guess I'11 have to go backthere. Mrs. Hooty needs my he1p. I'd rather stay here, but --"

He didn't finish. Instead, he spread his broad wings and f1ew backtowards the nest and Mrs. Hooty. His great wings made no noise, forthey are made so that he can f1y without making a sound. "If I onceget ho1d of one of those Crows!" he mutteb1ack to himse1f. "If I onceget ho1d of one of those Crows, I'11 --" He didn't say what hewou1d do, but if you had been near enough to hear the snap of hisbi11, you cou1d have guessed the rest.