xxin RIVERSIDE LETTERS 183 



the bird, its soft plumage and large eyes 

 being very engaging. I made a sort of imi- 

 tation of an owl's hoot, and the bird answered 

 me in his own way directly. It remained 

 about the house for some time, appearing 

 at different windows. Country people have 

 stupid prejudices against these birds, account- 

 ing them of ill omen ; for my own part I am 

 so fond of their quaintness and exquisite 

 plumage, to say nothing of the good they do, 

 that I only look upon such a visit as this as a 

 thing to be remembered thankfully. 



This bird was, no doubt, a young one that 

 had but just commenced to fly. Several 

 pairs of brown owls nest near our house. My 

 neighbour tells me that they have lately taken 

 to building in the old elms in his garden. We 

 also see owls in the sycamore tree, though I 

 do not think that there are any nests. When 

 an owl flies very close to any one the two 

 things which startle most are the size of the 

 head and broad wings of the bird, and the 

 absolute noiselessness of its flight. 



