THE BARN OWL. 163 



rats. Thus it renders a service which many can feel 

 and acknowledge. 



" The servants," says Mr. Waterton, " now no longer 

 wish to persecute it. Often, on a fine summer's evening, 

 with delight I see the villagers loitering under the syca- 

 more trees longer than they would otherwise do, to have 

 a peep at the barn owl, as it leaves the ivy-mantled 

 tower. Fortunate for it, if, in lieu of exposing itself to 

 danger, by mixing wuth the world at large, it only knew 

 the advantage of passing its nights at home ; for here 



" No birds that haunt my valley free 

 To slaughter I condemn ; 

 Taught by the Power that pities me, 

 I learn to pity them." 



