16 
THE BARN OWL. 
The barn owl may be heard shrieking here perpe- 
petually on the portico^ and in the large sycamore 
trees near the house. It shrieks equally when the 
moon shines and when the night is rough and 
cloudy ; and he who takes an interest in it may 
here see the barn owl the night through when there 
is a moon ; and he may hear it shriek when perch- 
ing on the trees, or when it is on wing. He may 
see it and hear it shriek, within a few yards of him, 
long before dark ; and again, often after daybreak, 
before it takes its final departure to its wonted 
resting-place. 
I am amply repaid for the pains I have taken to 
protect and encourage the barn owl ; it pays me a 
hundred-fold by the enormous quantity of mice 
which it destroys throughout the year. The ser- 
vants now no longer wish to persecute it. Often, 
on a fine summer s evening, with delight I see the 
villagers loitering under the sycamore trees longer 
than they would otherwise do, to have a peep at the 
barn owl, as it leaves the ivy-mantled tower : for^ 
tunate for it, if, in lieu of exposing itself to danger, 
by mixing with the world at largC; it only knew the 
advantage of passing its nights at home ; for here 
No birds that haunt my valley free 
To slaughter I condemn ; 
Taught by the Power that pities me, 
I learn to pity them." 
