* THE MOTOR CAR *

Owlet sat, so quiet and good,

At the edge of Yarner Wood,

While a mother owl hard by

Sought his supper silently.

Sudden came two hideous screams,

Wakened owlet from his dreams;

Down the road, on unseen wing,

Swept a vast and awful thing.

Twice he heard the monster shriek,

Saw its head and shining beak

Twixt huge eyes, that burned the night,

Brighter than the moon was bright.

Hooting horribly it fled —

Where the water-meadows spread.

“He will catch,” thought owlet now,

“That red thing they call the cow.”

Came his parent presently:

Heard him squeak with fearful glee,

“Mother dear, I’ ve seen and heard

Such a devil of a bird!”