32 HILLSIDE, ROCK, AND DALE 



at night, hooting from the trees just outside my 

 chamber window ; and I know well what they are 

 after the sparrows roosting in the ivy. And they 

 are welcome to all they can catch, for sparrows must 

 be kept under, or they increase beyond all bounds. 

 On my house there is a good-sized colony, and these, 

 as far as numbers are concerned, are prevented from 

 becoming overcrowded by my friends the owls. 



The clear musical note, when uttered near, is to 

 me exceedingly beautiful. On clear moonlight 

 autumn nights, when the woods seem to be so 

 silently sleeping, and glimpses of the moon are 

 seen between the half-leafless trees as we wander 

 through ; when long shadows are cast by the tall, 

 still pines, and most birds are asleep, is the time 

 to hear the tawny owl to perfection. 



Let us then go through the woods, as quietly 

 as possible, and make our way towards the old 

 weather-worn tree where the young were hatched 

 last year. This stands on the edge of the wood, 

 and when we reach it a herd of deer, just beyond, 

 having heard our footsteps, move slowly off, down 

 towards the silver-sheeted lake. On a jagged, wind- 

 swept branch we see one owl sitting motionless, 

 his form dark against the lighter sky. We stand 

 in the broad shadow of the tree and watch this 

 prowler of the night. Suddenly his feathers are 

 ruffled, he leans forward, his wings are slightly raised, 



