200 THE BROWN OR TAWNY OWL. 



screeching or screaming coming from the other end of the 

 wood. On reaching the spot whence the noise proceeded, I 

 witnessed a curious sight. There were half a dozen or 

 more jays mobbing a poor tawny owl, who appeared so 

 bewildered that she knew not where or how to make her 

 escape. Doubtless the mischievous jays were answerable 

 for the breach of peace. However, at that time I was 

 anxious to obtain a specimen of Syriniim Aluco, and having 

 my small collector's gun with me, this opportunity was one 

 not to be missed. The owl was being driven from tree to 

 tree, closely pursued by the screaming jays. I chose a 

 likely-looking oak and waited close to its trunk, and in a 

 few moments the same lively scene was being enacted right 

 over my head. The report of the gun soon ended the 

 disturbance, the owl being laid low and the jays rapidly 

 dispersing in all directions. 



On another occasion I was with a friend in a wood not 

 many miles from Clifton, known by the suggestive name of 

 " Goblin's Coombe." It was about mid- day, and whilst rest- 

 ing in the shade, our attention was caught by the prolonged 

 grating note of a common wren. So continuously was this 

 noise kept up that we knew something must be wrong. On 

 nearing the spot we soon caught sight of the diminutive 

 but much agitated bird. With ruffled plumage it was 

 bustling about the mossy stones and low underwood, now 

 perching on some eminence, bowing its body and jerking 

 its tail, and now diving into the recesses of the bush, 

 but uttering its harsh note with great vehemence all the 

 while. The cause of this was not at first apparent ; but on 

 approaching nearer, to our astonishment a tawny owl fled 

 from a tree hard by and soon vanished out of sight. 



The disappearance of the owl evidently caused the wren 

 great satisfaction, for it instantly ceased its noise, and 



