PICTURESQUE ANIMALS. 139 



the owl as complaining to the moon of such as molest his 

 ancient solitary reign. The allusion to his nocturnal 

 habits and to his solitary dominions brings still more 

 vividly to mind those qualities with which the image of 

 the bird is associated. His appropriate habitations are 

 the ruined tower, the ancient belfry, or the hollow of an 

 old tree. In all such places the figure of the owl is 

 deeply suggestive of those fancies which are awakened 

 by the sight of ancient dilapidated buildings, crumbling 

 walls, and old houses supposed to be the residence of 

 wicked spirits which are permitted to visit the earth. 



It is on account of these dreary and poetic associations 

 that the owl is so truly picturesque. He is often seen, in 

 paintings and engravings, perched on an old gateway, or 

 on one of the bars of an old fence, whose posts, leaning 

 obliquely, show that they have been heaved by the frosts 

 of many winters. In certain situations our slumbers are 

 sometimes disturbed by the peculiar hooting of this bird, 

 that awakens in the mind the gloomy horrors of midnight. 

 His nocturnal and solitary habits, the unearthly tones 

 and modulation of his voice, his practice of frequenting 

 rude and desolate places and haunted houses, have caused 

 his image to be intimately connected with mystery and 

 gloomy forebodings of evil. The very stillness of his 

 flight yields a sort of mysterious character to the bird ; 

 all these circumstances, combined with his fabled repu- 

 tation for wisdom, and his demure and solemn expression 

 of countenance, have conspired to render the owl one of 

 the most picturesque of all living creatures. 



The bat is another creature, in some respects, of simi- 

 lar habits and reputation. Like the owl, it naturally 

 seeks, for its retreat during the day, those unfrequented 

 places where it is not liable to be disturbed, and has 

 acquired a character and expression in harmony with the 

 scenes it frequents. But it is remarkable that while the 



