THE CAT-OWL. 87 



within cities, or otherwise abroad in any place, 

 it is not good, but foretellent some fearful mis- 

 fortune." Shakespeare often introduces the 

 owl to intensify some feature of horror or dread, 

 and that was the prevalent feeling about them 

 in England. Thus, in a famous play, Lady 

 Macbeth listens to the receding steps of her 

 husband as he goes into another room to mur- 

 der King Duncan, and she exclaims, " Hark ! 

 Peace ! It was the owl that shrieked, the fatal 

 bellman which givest the stern'st good-night ! " 

 In England it is a belief in the rural districts 

 that owl's broth is a great remedy for the 

 cramp. Sometimes I have taken off their skins 

 when they were too fat for comfort. The broth 

 might be palatable. One need not be very 

 hungry before making trial of its food qualities. 

 If this particular owl I mentioned does not 

 feast on rabbit to-night, then his calculations 

 will be upset, for he laid his course a little 

 beyond a bit of swamp, where rabbits have 

 their feeding-grounds. Already they are out, 

 jumping here and there, cutting the tender 

 twigs for food. Hark, now, to the pitiful child- 

 like cry that rings out on the frosty air ! There 

 is a forest tragedy being enacted over there. A 

 few more fainter screams and sobs and all is still. 

 It was the " Passing " of poor Bunny. Life was 



