The Zoologist— October, 1866. 413 



by way of illustration, for although many of them may perhaps appear 

 merely repetitions in point of meaning, still the mode of expression 

 differs, and it is wonderful to observe the varied language in which 

 our poet has expressed the same thought. 



" Hark ! peace ! 

 It was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bellman, 

 Which gives the stern'st good night." 



Macbeth, Act ii. Scene 2. 



" I heard the owl scream." 

 Id. 



" The obscure bird clamour'd the livelong long night." 



Id., Act ii. Scene 3.' 



" The ominous and fearful owl of death " 



Henry VI., Part T., Act iv. Scene 2. 



was, perhaps and is now, more feared by the superstitious on account 

 of its being seen only at night or in the dusk, when it issues forth to 



feed. 



" The night to the owl, and morn to the lark less welcome." 



Cymbeline, Act iii. Scene 6. 



" Deep night, dark night, the silent night (is) 

 The time when screech-owls cry and bandogs howl." 



Henry VI., Part II. Act i. Scene 4. 



" She sang, and made the night bird mute 

 That still records with moan." 



Pericles, Introduction. 



Query, whether this refers to the owl or nightingale. See a passage 

 under the head " Nightingale," where an explanation of the word 

 " record " occurs. 



" The clamorous owl that nightly hoots." 

 ♦ Midsummer Night's Dream. 



" For night owls shriek when mounting larks should sing." 



* Richard II., Act iii. Scene 3. 



If the appearance of an owl by night was thought " ominous" and 

 *• foreboding " by the superstitious, it would appear still more so when 



seen by day. 



*' The owl by day, 



If he arise, is mocked and wondered at." 



Henry VI., Part III. Act v. Scene 4. 



