BIRDS OF PREY. 35 



a favourite. His hoot, too, near a dwelling is in some 

 places considered a sign of impending trouble, and, 

 whether he makes his appearance by night or by day, 

 he is always persecuted ; yet Minerva's bird ought to 

 meet with better treatment, for, apart from being the 

 symbol of wisdom, the habits and manners of the owl 

 are exceedingly interesting. 



THE OWL. 



In the hollow tree, in the grey old tower, 



The spectral owl doth dwell, 

 Dull, hated, despised in the sunshine hour, 



But at dusk he's abroad and well : 

 Not a bird of the forest e'er mates with him, 



All mock him outright by day ; 

 But at night, when the woods grow still and dim, 



The boldest will shrink away ; 



Oh, when the night falls, and roost the fowl, 

 Then, then is the reign of the horned owl ! 



II. 



And the owl hath a bride who is fond and bold, 



And loveth the wood's deep gloom, 

 And with eyes like the shine of the moonbeam cold 



She waiteth her ghastly groom ! 

 Not a feather she moves, nor a carol she sings, 



As she waits in her tree so still ; 

 And when her heart heareth his napping wings, 



She hoots out her welcome shrill ! 



Oh, when the moon shines, and the dogs do howl, 

 Then, then is the time of the horned owl ! 



in. 



Mourn not for the owl, nor his gloomy plight ! 



The owl hath a share of his good ; 

 If a prisoner he be in the broad daylight, 



He is lord in the dark green wood ! 



D 2 



