168 OWLS. 



by them; the great destruction, exclusive of poaching, 

 proceeding from weasels, stoats, rats, &c., which suck 

 the eggs, and in one night will destroy a whole brood. 

 Now Owls, although they may occasionally kill a bird or 

 two, of which however we have considerable doubts, (for 

 by night, young Partridges and Pheasants are in safe 

 keeping under their mothers' wings,) live chiefly on 

 small vermin, as we have seen; and in proportion as the 

 Owls are destroyed, these noxious animals may be ex- 

 pected to increase. 



That small birds, generally speaking, have a great 

 dislike to Owls, is clear, from the uproar that takes 

 place if an unfortunate Owl is disturbed in the day- 

 time, and compelled to appear in broad day-light; pur- 

 sued, as it is sure to be, by a host of them, who perse- 

 cute it by every means in their power. And we may 

 therefore conclude, that they either take it for their real 

 enemy, the Hawk, or that it does, now and then, when 

 it can, feast upon any of them which may, by accident, 

 fall into its clutches. 



Of this antipathy, the bird-catchers in Italy know 

 how to take advantage, it being customary with them to 

 decoy small birds to lime-twigs, by tethering an Owl by 

 the leg with a long string, which is thus kept hopping, 

 and beating the ground, without being able to escape. 

 The bird-catcher then hides himself behind a tree, and 

 makes a chirping, which calls the small birds together, 

 and on seeing the Owl they gradually approach nearer, 

 and finding him unable to resist, become so bold, that 

 they at length come within the line of twigs and are 

 made prisoners themselves. 



Though apparently cowardly birds, and never the 

 first to dispute with others of their own size, yet when 

 pressed, they show considerable spirit and skill in de- 

 fending themselves. One, which had been slightly 

 wounded in the wing, was, when cured, placed in a 

 large pen with a Sparrow-Hawk, which had been some 

 time confined there, and with whom, it was hoped, a 



