My First Woodcock. hi 



tree, and ha got afeace like a caat." The story 

 got abroad, and the boy got well chaffed for 

 it ; and whenever an owl is seen in those parts 

 they call it "Bill Price's woodcock." 



There is another original story of an owl, 

 which is too good to be lost ; but this is not a 

 Shropshire, it is one of a Wiltshire moonraker 

 this time. A boy coming home from crow- 

 keeping one evening, witli his gun over his 

 shoulder, just when it was getting dusk, saw 

 something sitting on a gate-post. After looking 

 at it for some time, he saw it move, and made 

 it out to be a bird of some kind, so he let 

 drive, and down it tumbled. He ran up to 

 pick up his prize, but recoiled in horror when 

 he saw some unknown creature lying on its 

 back, making frightful gasps, and feebly strug- 

 gling with its hairy claws. Away he ran home 

 with all his might, almost tumbling down with 

 fear. " Father, do go up and see what 'tis at old 

 Robin s gate ; I believe I bin and shot a 

 cherubim." His father, after some hesitation, 

 and rather in fear and trembling, went and 

 brought home the dead body of a white owl. 



One other owl story and I have done, or I 

 fancy my readers will be bowling at me. I got 



