somewhere, far beyond the fields and forests of this part of the world, day-birds were beginning to stir, and thousands of downy heads were drawn from under sheltering wings, while in the barnyards the cocks were calling their welcome to the sun. but the screech owl did not think of this. he aroused his wife and they went hunting. when they came back they did not dream about food. they had eaten all that they could, and the great horned owl and his wife had made a meal hearty enough for a dozen robins, and a whole flock of goldfinches. it was a good thing for the day-birds that this was so, for it is said that sometimes, when food is very scarce, owls have been known to hunt by daylight.