where the bell-bird chimes.

Otago Witness, Issue 2905, 17 November 1909, Page 81

where the bell-bird chimes.

, Br Edith Howks. TH*i MOREPOBK BABY. The* Morepori B»by broke his shell with nJa horny, - beak and pushed hi* way out -with his .strong young shoulders. - "I have been listening for you/ stud bis - mother. "Cuddle down under my warm feathers." He cuddled down. She pushed the broken shell out of the way, and sat close to keep him warm. Towards morning the father owl came borne with a rat for hex.- "The baby ie out!"- said the mother. ■ "Then I' must be busier than ever," said the father. ;' "It is not yet daylight. .■ I shall bunt again.! For several nights be hunted tirelessly, bringing .home food lot both mcit'her and little one. When the babj YmA grown stronger -and opened 'bis eyes the mother went hunting too. \ The baby was left for an hour at a time alone in the nest. He did no mind. His coat of down, thick and fluffy, kept him warm, and"" his interest in all he could see saved him from loneliness. Tfie nest was in a hollow tree. He would sit >nd gaze slowly up and down its woody walls, .staring with his round owl eyes till he knew every crack and shadowed corner. Through .the opening came the- busltooftened light of day, the tree-filtered moonshine at night. ' Through ,the opening, too, new in the everweloome parents, bringing from the strange alight world, outside delightful feasts of insects and -mice and soft-bedied birds. It was not long before he could eat all that was brought to him," caring the food apart with bis strong curved beak, swallowing everything as it came, but r little later putting out, as his parents did/ a ball of bone* and fur, or bones and feathers, from -the creature he had eaten. When he was a little older be was taken out on to the spreading branches of the home tree. From there he bad hie first wide view of the moonlit, leaf-bung bush. "The world is big!" be said. . "This is but a corner," said bis father. "Grow fast. When your wings are strong you shall see the real -world." His feathers came, bis wings grew strong, and be was taught '.o fly. Then he was taken out to see the real world. All night the family flew and hunted, peering through the darkness with great eyes A*t glowed and rounded like a v cat's U> gather in what light there was. A' movement below, a stir of bird or rat or mouse, he white flutter of a night-flying moth, and ■with a lightning swoop, munled by the softness of its downy plumage, &• hunter was upon its prey. Then off ag*i» to listen with keenest hearing for the* rustle of a twig or to call to one another through the trees a weird vibrating, cry, "Morepork! Morepork!" The young one bunted well and killed bis share. "You «re now able, .to take care of yourself," said his mother. "Bemember to find a dark corner when day draws near."

-The parents flew off, leaving, hjm to live-., his ownf life.* i Morning came. - He favmdi a.'dark corner "in a thick bush, settled himself, and went to "sleep. In the afternoon be awoke, very nungry. The pleasure of last night's hunting filled; his memory. "I will hunt again," h« thought. He flew out. Woeful mistake! In the dimness of his bush he had forgotten that outside the sun -still shone. He' swung out into the' glare of the light, and in a flask vna bHnded by it. Dazzled, helpless, he tried 4o return to his bush, but oouH not find it. He blundered this way *ndj that, quite unable to ace, knocking against surrounding trees. At laet he perched on a branch And' set himself patiently to await the of* the cruel daylight. It was there that the firs.; robin saw. him. "Aha! it is you!" she stormed "You. with your cruel beak and claws. To-dey you are helpless. I am not afraid of you. ~ H«ted one! Night thief! Murderer!" Bound •and round him she flew, tormenting him with her scolding voice. Drawn by her angry cries, robins and fantails *nd , wrens gathered one by one at the scene of , the disturbance. The helplessness of their night-dreaded foe roused them to the wildest glee. Keeping always just " beyond his striking reach, tbey circled, insulting him. "Owl!" they jeered. "Blind owl! Flat face! Hunt us now, blinking night-robber, widen your slit eyes and look at us. See, we are little and tender. Catch us! Devdur us!" He snapped at them, leelrng the beat of the air as they, fluttered past his eighties* eyes. AEaddened by iheir jeers, he swooped at last from hie perch, only to dash himself into a tangle of supplejack .canes. Sliding -and struggling, he fell to the ground, there .o sit hopelessly The little birds,. scattered' for the moment • by his sudden 1 movement,' gathered round again and began their gibes aireah. While daylight lasted they' held to their triumphant sport, and be waa forced to painfully endure. The eun gleams fled from the open spaces, daylight darkened jnto~shadows. The mob of little birds flew off in sudden fear; relief came to the persecuted owl. Slowly the great eyes widened and sight returned. Into the friendly gloom he rose, io wing once more his powerful way across, the night-hung bush, to wreak his hungry vengeance on his afternoon tormentors.