CHAP. vii. AN ORCHESTRA DISTURBED. 123 



emerged a little from his burrow, and drew out 

 his gun for the purpose of shooting the owl ; but, 

 before he could do this, the owl had taken to his wings 

 and fled away with his booty. 



Besides the Long-eared owl, Edward also met with 

 the Brown owl, the only two species that he met 

 with in his district, or of which he can speak from 

 personal observation. Both of these owls uttered a 

 too-hoo when sinking down upon their prey ; and, 

 after they had secured it, they would fly away 

 without any further noise ; but, if obstructed, they 

 would both set up a loud screech. Edward had 

 many opportunities of witnessing this trait in their 

 characters. The best instance occurred in the wood 

 of Backlaw. 



" Near the centre of this wood," he observes, " and 

 not far from the farm of the same name, there is a 

 small piece of stagnant water. I was reclining against 

 a tree one night, listening to a reptilian choir a con- 

 cert of frogs. It was delicious to hear the musicians 

 endeavouring to excel each other in their strains, and 

 to exhibit their wonderful vocal powers. The defect 

 of the concert was the want of time. Each indivi- 

 dual performer endeavoured to get as much above the 

 concert pitch as possible. It was a most beautiful 

 night, for there are beautiful nights as well as days 

 in the north, and I am certain that these creatures 

 were enjoying its beauty as much as myself. Pre- 

 sently, when the whole of the vocalists had reached 



