14 



THE BARN OWL. 



An owl is an owl all the world over, whether under 

 the influence of Momus, Venus, or Diana. 



When farmers complain, that the barn owl de- 

 stroys the eggs of their pigeons, they lay the saddle 

 on the wrong horse. They ought to put it on 

 the rat. Formerly I could get very few young 

 pigeons till the rats were excluded effectually from 

 the dovecot. Since that took place, it has produced 

 a great abundance every year, though the barn 

 owls frequent it, and are encouraged all around 

 it. The barn owl merely resorts to it for repose 

 and concealment. If it were really an enemy to 

 the dovecot, we should see the pigeons in com- 

 motion as soon as it begins its evening flight I but 

 the pigeons heed it not : whereas, if the sparrow- 

 hawk or hobby should make its appearance, the 

 whole community would be up at once ; proof 

 sufl[icient that the barn owl is not looked upon as a 

 bad, or even a suspicious, character by the inhabit- 

 ants of the dovecot. 



Till lately, a great and well-known distinction 

 has always been made betwixt the screeching and 

 the hooting of owls. The tawny owl is the only 

 owl which hoots; and when I am in the woods 

 after poachers, about an hour before daybreak, I 

 hear with extreme delight its loud, clear, and sono- 

 rous notes, resounding far and near through hill 

 and dale. Very different from these notes is the 

 screech of the barn owl. But Sir William Jardine 

 informs us, that this owl hoots ; and that he has 

 shot it in the act of hooting. This is stiff autho- 

 rity ; and I believe it because it comes from the 



