Tiger of the air is the term fitly applied to this big bird. Powerful and bloodthirsty, it sweeps on great silent wings, terrifying smaller birds and animals.

The great horned owl is rather easy to work on, for the body is round, gradually tapering at the neck.

To whittle this bird, begin by using a pine block 2 inches thick, 3 inches wide, and 9 inches long.

Place the transfer of the owl on this block, with the grain of the wood running vertically. See arrow, Figure 76.

With band or coping saw, rough out the block to the outline of the bird.

Figure 76

Figure 77

Using a heavy blade for roughing, start cutting at the feet. See arrow, Figure 77.

Move to the face and work around the beak, as the feet and face are the widest points of the block. Next, carve out the horns and then work down past the face and body, noting how the wings are formed. Figures 77, 78, 79, and 80.

Figure 81

The base on which the owl is sitting is made to represent a dead tree stump with a bark pattern. The bottom piece is made from a 1/2 inch disk with the bark intact, 3 inches in diameter.

The body is notched to represent feathers. Figure 78.

Sandpaper lightly, to leave a rough finish. Paint with oil or water colors, following Figure 81.