190 OWLS. 



large Owls, during the time they rear their young. 

 Our Barn-Owl is, by many, accused of being equally 

 injurious to game, but experienced sportsmen are 

 most of them of opinion, that game is rather pre- 

 served than destroyed by them; the great destruc- 

 tion, exclusive of poaching, proceeding from weasels, 

 stoats, rats, &c., which suck the eggs, and in one 

 night will destroy a whole brood. Now Owls, 

 although they may occasionally kill a bird or two, 

 of which, however, we have considerable doubts, (for 

 by night, young Partridges and Pheasants are in safe 

 keeping under their mothers' wings,) live chiefly on 

 small vermin, as we have seen; and in proportion as 

 the Owls are destroyed, these noxious animals may 

 be expected to increase. 



That small birds, generally speaking, have a great 

 dislike to Owls, is clear, from the uproar that takes 

 place if an unfortunate Owl is disturbed in the day- 

 time, and compelled to appear in broad day-light ; 

 pursued, as it is sure to be, by a host of them, who 

 persecute it by every means in their power. And 

 we may therefore conclude, that they either take it 

 for their real enenry, the Hawk, or that it does, now 

 and then, when it can, feast upon any of them which 

 may, by accident, fall into its clutches. 



Of this antipathy, the bird-catchers in Italy know 

 how to take advantage, it being customary with them 

 to decoy small birds to lime -t wigs, by tethering an 

 Owl by the leg with a long string, which is thus 

 kept hopping, and beating the ground, without being 

 able to escape. The bird-catcher then hides himself 

 behind a tree, and makes a chirping, which calls the 

 small birds together, and on seeing the Owl, they 



