16 THE BARN OWL. 
The barn owl may be heard shrieking here perpe- 
tually on the portico, and in the large sycamore 
trees near the house. It shrieks equally when the 
moon shines and when the night is rough and cloudy; 
and he who takes an interest in it may here see the 
barn owl the night through when there is a moon; 
and he may hear it shriek when perching on the 
trees, or when it is on wing. He may see it and 
hear it shriek, within a few yards of him, long be- 
fore dark; and again, often after daybreak, before 
it takes its final departure to its wonted resting- 
place. 
I am amply repaid for the pains I have taken to 
protect and encourage the barn owl; it pays me a 
hundred-fold by the enormous quantity of mice 
which it destroys throughout the year. The ser- 
vants now no longer wish to persecute it. Often, 
on a fine summer’s evening, with delight I see the 
villagers loitering under the sycamore trees longer 
than they would otherwise do, to have a peep at the 
barn owl, as it leaves the ivy-mantled tower: for- 
tunate for it, if, in lieu of exposing itself to danger, 
by mixing with 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.” | 
