OWLS. 
] 51 
of life. He made a sort of dwelling for them about four feet 
square, on the ruins of an old gateway, and trained some ivy 
round about, which soon concealed it. In the stone-work he 
fixed a thick oaken stick for them to perch upon. In about 
a month after everything was ready, a pah’ of Barn-Owls 
came and established themselves there. This succeeded so 
well, that he formed some other similar places, all of which 
were in like manner soon occupied by pairs of Owls. That in 
the old gateway was so contrived, that he could examine it 
whenever he pleased ; and as they were never injured, the 
Owls soon grew confident, and betrayed no fear when strangers 
mounted a ladder to look in. One rather unexpected piece of 
information was learned from constant inspection, namely, 
that these birds, unlike others, seem to breed at all seasons, 
as he found a young brood hatched in September, and another 
in December; and he adds, that he considers himself as amply 
repaid for the pains he has taken in protecting and encourag- 
ing his Barn-Owls ; conceiving that it pays him a hundred-fold 
by the enormous quantity of mice destroyed throughout the 
year. Many, however, condemn them on account of the 
ravages they commit in pigeon-houses, by carrying off the 
young ones ; hut this seems to he an unfair charge ; their real 
reason for entering pigeon-houses being rather for the purpose 
of picking up the vermin that are constantly harbouring there, 
than injuring the inmates. 
Mr. Waterton observes, that when farmers complain that 
the Barn-Owl destroys the eggs of their Pigeons, “ they put 
the saddle on the wrong horse.” It ought, he says, to he put 
upon the rat ; stating from his own experience, that his in- 
crease of Pigeons was inconsiderable till the rats were 
effectually excluded from the dove-cote, since which time 
they have increased abundantly, though the Barn-Owls fre- 
quent it, and are encouraged all about it. And he reasons 
very correctly, by saying, that if they were really enemies, 
the Pigeons would he in commotion as soon as the Owl began 
its evening flight, and entered their premises ; hut they heed 
him not. Whereas, if a Hawk should make its appearance, 
the whole community of Pigeons would he in confusion and 
