THE TAWNY OWL. 27 



On the slender wrist of the high-born dame, 



The well trimmed merlin rested then ; 

 At the chieftain's call the falcon came, 

 And knew his voice 'mid a thousand men. 



With horse and hound I followed the chase, 

 And they lauded the falcon's noble race. 



But I'm nobler now, that far and free, 



Unfettered by toils and trammels like these ; 

 I sail abroad over land and sea, 

 And follow the chase wherever I please. 



No bell on my foot, no hood on my brow, 

 I am truly the noble falcon now. 



ORDER ACCIPITRES. 



Wood Owl. Tawny Owl. Brown Owl. 

 Strix Stridula. LINN. 



THE tawny owl is found in England, and many 

 other parts of Europe. It inhabits woods, and 

 usually builds its nest in hollow trees. It is this 

 species of owl that utters the cry, so well imitated 

 by the syllables tee-whit or too-wliit, and the 

 hollow shuddering kind of note too-whoo, of 

 which the syllables are lengthened by a tremu- 

 lous prolongation, th#t seems expressive of fear or 

 horror. 



