16 THE BARN OWL. 



The barn owl may be heard shrieking here perpe- 

 tually on the portico, and in the large sycamore 

 trees near the house. It shrieks equally when the 

 moon shines and when the night is rough and cloudy; 

 and he who takes an interest in it may here see the 

 barn owl the night through when there is a moon; 

 and he may hear it shriek when perching on the 

 trees, or when it is on wing. He may see it and 

 hear it shriek, within a few yards of him, long be- 

 fore dark ; and again, often after daybreak, before 

 it takes its final departure to its wonted resting- 

 place. 



I am amply repaid for the pains I have taken to 

 protect and encourage the barn owl ; it pays me a 

 hundred-fold by the enormous quantity of mice 

 which it destroys throughout the year. The ser- 

 vants now no longer wish to persecute it. Often, 

 on a fine summer's evening, with delight I see the 

 villagers loitering under the sycamore trees longer 

 than they would otherwise do, to have a peep at the 

 barn owl, as it leaves the ivy-mantled tower : for- 

 tunate for it, if, in lieu of exposing itself to danger, 

 by mixing with the world at large, it only knew the 

 advantage of passing its nights at home ; for here 



" No birds that haunt my valley free 



To slaughter I condemn ; 

 Taught by the Power that pities me, 

 I learn to pity them. " 



