WITHIN AN HOUR OF 

 LONDON TOWN. 



CHAPTER I. 



HAUNTS OF THE FERN OWL. 



OFTEN heard, but little seen, is the strong-winged, 

 large -eyed, wide -mouthed night - swallow, or fern 

 owl. Here and there you will see him in the course 

 of your evening rambles ; but to find his stronghold 

 and hunting-ground you must range far afield. 



Out of the town of Dorking along green lanes, a 

 good walk will bring you to Leith Hill, and thence 

 to the common. The sun is high up yet, and as 

 we wish to find our owl in his night haunts first, 

 we have plenty of time to look about us. Skirt 

 the bog covered with cotton-grass and rushes. 



A 



