THE BROWN OR TAWNY OWL. 207 



Wishing to see if the bird would repeat this pugnacious, 

 albeit courageous, performance, I carried the joung owl 

 back and placed it at the foot of the tree, having previously 

 taken the precaution of putting up the collar of my coat. 

 There was the old bird perched in a stately manner high 

 over my head, constantly snapping her bill, which seemed to 

 me a sign of rage. Keeping my eye fixed upon the adult 

 bird, I bent over the young one and made it fight with my 

 hand. Suddenly, before I was aware that the old bird had 

 left her perch, I felt a smart blow in the back, which on a 

 less unfavourable spot would certainly have left its marks. 

 The shock made me start, of course, and this had the effect 

 of driving the owl back to the elm tree, where she continued 

 the snapping noise previously mentioned. I did not wait 

 for the second round, nor did I venture to examine the 

 hollow overhead, which doubtless contained three more 

 owlets ; but, thinking discretion the better part of valour, I 

 retired, carrying this young one away with me as a trophy. 



