THE BARN OWL. 



This bird is a resident in our country throughout the 

 year. It finds a dwelling in churches, barns, ruins of 

 any sort, and also in the holes of decayed trees. If 

 undisturbed, it seldom leaves its retreat during the day, 

 and when cautiously approached in its hiding-place, it 

 appears as if asleep. It begins its labours about sun- 

 set, and, as Butler says — 



" While moonlight, silvering all the walls, 

 Through every mouldering crevice falls, 

 Tipping vrith white his powdery plume, 

 As shades or shifts the changing gloom : 

 The owl that, watching in the barn, 

 Sees the mouse creeping in the corn, 

 Sits still, and shuts his round blue eyes. 

 As if he slept — until he spies 

 The little beast within his stretch, 

 Then starts, and seizes on the wretch !" 



It has been remarked, that if this useful bird caught 

 its food by day, instead of hunting for it by night, man- 

 kind would have full proof of its utility in thinning the 

 country of mice, and it would, consequently, be pro- 



