OWLS. 151 



of life. He made a sort of dwelling for them, about four feet 

 square, on the ruins of an old gateway, and trained some ivy 

 round about, which soon concealed it. In the stone-work he 

 fixed a thick oaken stick for them to perch upon. In about 

 a month after everything was ready, a pair of Barn-Owls 

 came and established themselves there. This succeeded so 

 well, that he formed some other similar places, all of which 

 were in like manner soon occupied by pairs of Owls. That in 

 the old gateway was so contrived, that he could examine it 

 whenever he pleased ; and as they were never injured, the 

 Owls soon grew confident, and betrayed no fear when strangers 

 mounted a ladder to look in. One rather unexpected piece of 

 information was learned from constant inspection, namely, 

 that these birds, unlike others, seem to breed at all seasons, 

 as he found a young brood hatched in September, and another 

 in December ; and he adds, that he considers himself as amply 

 repaid for the pains he has taken in protecting and encourag- 

 ing his Barn-Owls; conceiving that it pays him a hundred-fold 

 by the enormous quantity of mice destroyed throughout the 

 year. Many, however, condemn them on account of the 

 ravages they commit in pigeon-houses, by carrying off the 

 young ones : but this seems to be an unfair charge ; their real 

 reason for entering pigeon -houses being rather for the purpose 

 of picking up the vermin that are constantly harbouring there, 

 than injuring the inmates. 



Mr. Waterton observes, that when farmers complain that 

 the Barn-Owl destroys the eggs of their Pigeons, " they put 

 the saddle on the wrong horse." It ought, he says, to be put 

 upon the rat ; stating from his own experience, that his in- 

 crease of Pigeons was inconsiderable till the rats were 

 effectually excluded from the dovecote, since which time 

 they have increased abundantly, though the Barn-Owls fre- 

 quent it, and are encouraged all about it. And he reasons 

 very correctly, by saying, that if they were really enemies, 

 the Pigeons would be in commotion as soon as the Owl began 

 its evening flight, and entered their premises ; but they heed 

 him not. Whereas, if a Hawk should make its appearance, 

 the whole community of Pigeons would be in confusion and 



