BIRDS OF NIGHT. 35 



as you call him, knows where to take them to 

 market." 



" Have you got any idea what he'd get for 'em ? " 



" The very least would be a shilling each." 



" Botheration ! you don't say so. He ain't give 

 me a brass farden. I say, mister." 



" Well, what is it ? " 



"The next owl I shoots at I misses. You under- 

 stand." 



The long-eared owl, or horned owlet of the coun- 

 try people, is a lighter made bird than the brown 

 owl. He is more hawk-like in his movements, and 

 has more dash. With his feather-tufts erected, and 

 his bright, orange eyes wide open, he is a very im- 

 posing-looking gentleman. His livery is a bright 

 fawn-brown, dashed here and there with grey and 

 white, so mixed and blended together that it is 

 impossible to convey a correct impression of it 

 unless he is before you. 



A gusty night after a day's rain is the time that 

 suits him. On such nights he comes from the 

 woods down to the woodland farms. I have often 

 watched him at work there. 



A gentle breeze comes over the woodlands just 



