BIRDS OF NIGHT. 47 



pepper-box owls. He walks about from one side 

 to the other his joy is great and loud ; and with 

 a low, chattering cry, he calls to his mistress. She 

 holds out her hand, and Patch steps daintily on 

 to it ; trims his feathers, turns his head upside down 

 to have a look at me, and then goes to sleep. 



As a man I have given years of study to the 

 birds of prey, so named, who were my first loves 

 as a little lad. Falcons, hawks, and owls stand 

 alone for intelligence and affectionateness, unmixed 

 with a particle of fear ; but if there be any difference 

 it is certainly in favour of the owls. 



