CANADIAN OWL. 235 



ance of sport, jolly companions, and no anxiety 

 about dress, their time must pass very pleasantly. 

 Enjoy it while you can, your hunting-ground, like 

 the Indians', will soon be wrested from you. 



Indefatigable as I was in my tramp after game, 

 for I was urged on by hunger, the only live animal 

 I came across was a Canadian owl. On a pre- 

 vious occasion, when similarly hard-up for food, I 

 had once attempted to eat one of these gentry, an 

 experiment which I think I can safely promise never 

 to repeat or forget. I had been out in search of 

 sport on the northern shores of Lake Huron, one of 

 the most desolate regions, and possessed of less game 

 than any other locality I wot of. I was going home 

 with an empty game-bag, and a stomach almost as 

 empty, the shades of night falling around me, and 

 no prospect of anything wherewith to break my fast ; 

 when, about a quarter of a mile from the encamp- 

 ment, one of the companions of Minerva, from the 

 summit of a lofty pine, thought fit to disturb the 

 solitude by exercising his vocal powers. A single 

 note betrayed his retreat ; and, ere he had time to 

 emit a second, a ball from my rifle brought him 

 struggling to the ground. In the prospect of being 

 able at last to appease my hunger, I gloated over 

 my prize, smacking my lips when I thought of the 

 feast in store for me. As I hurried home, I stole a 

 march on time by plucking the snow-white plumage 

 of my victim, that there might be no delay in the 

 preparation of my anticipated banquet. When ready 



