THE BARN OWL. 



The Barn Owl is another bird attendant on civilisa- 

 tion, and seldom indeed seen in the wild. They frequent 

 the ivied ruins, caves, barns, and outbuildings, church 

 steeples and hollow trees, where they lurk and sleep 

 during the day, coming out at night time to feed. A 

 sorely persecuted bird it is, partly on account of its love 

 for night and darkness, and partly because it is thought 

 to kill and devour game and poultry ; yet, withal, it is a 

 handsome one, and few birds are clothed in more rich 

 and varied plumage. The Barn Owl, because he is. seen 

 flying over the churchyard at dusk, and taking refuge in 

 the steeple, is said by the superstitious villagers to hold 

 communion with departed souls, and his presence is 

 looked upon with terror and hatred. It is the bird's 



