162 BRITISH BIRDS. 



there a sad time ; its supposed mourning notes alarmed 

 the aged housekeeper ; she thought it boded great evil ; 

 and as the gamekeeper stood better in her books when 

 he had managed to shoot a barn owl, the numbers of 

 this harmless tribe were thinned, as the result of the 

 prevailing ignorance, superstition, and cruelty. 



But, as at the period already mentioned Mr. Waterton 

 returned from his scientific " wanderings " in the wilds 

 of Guiana, this slaughter was stopped, an abode was made 

 on the ruin of the old gateway, and a few weeks after 

 it was finished, it was tenanted by a pair of owls. This 

 settlement succeeded well, and, in consequence, others 

 were formed. Here they only became objects of atten- 

 tion and interest ; confident of protection, they show no 

 fear when the stranger mounts up to their dwelling- 

 place. 



Kindness always brings with it a reward in the hearts 

 of those who exercise it, while it is often attended by 

 other advantages. Nor is it without them in the present 

 instance. The barn owl amply repays its benefactor by 

 destroying throughout the year an enormous quantity of 

 mice. For these it will hunt not only during the night, 

 but even when the sun shines brightly. When it has 

 young it will bring a mouse to the nest about every 

 twelve or fifteen minutes. It will sometimes carry off 



