OWLS. 
155 
own exertions, and usually drive them off to shift for them- 
selves in distant haunts. 
It may he readily concluded, from this instance, how muph 
game must he destroyed by a pair of these large Owls, during 
the time they rear their young. Our Barn-Owl is, by many, 
accused of being equally injurious to game, hut experienced 
sportsmen are most of them of opinion, that game is rather 
preserved than destroyed by them : the great destruction, 
exclusive of poaching, proceeding from weasels, stoats, rats,&c., 
which suck the eggs, and in one night will destroy a whole 
brood. Now Owls, although they may occasionally kill a 
bird or two, of which, however, we have considerable doubts, 
(for by night, young Partridges and Pheasants are in safe 
keeping under their mothers’ wings,) live chiefly on small 
vermin, as we have seen; and in proportion as the Owls 
are destroyed, these noxious animals may he expected to 
increase. 
That small birds, generally speaking, have a great dislike 
to Owls is clear, from the uproar that takes place if an 
unfortunate Owl is disturbed in the day-time, and compelled 
to appear in broad day-light ; pursued, as it is sure to he, by 
a host of them, who persecute it by every means in their 
power. And we may therefore conclude, that they either 
take it for their real enemy, the Hawk, or that it does, now 
and then, when it can, feast upon any of them which may, by 
accident, fall into its clutches. 
Of this antipathy, the bird-catchers in Italy know how to 
take advantage, it being customary with them to decoy small 
birds to lime -twigs, by tethering an Owl by the leg with a 
long string, which is thus kept hopping, and heating the 
ground, without being able to escape. The bird-catcher then 
hides himself behind a tree, and makes a chirping, which calls 
the small birds together, and on seeing the Owl they gradually 
approach nearer, and finding him unable to resist, become so 
hold, that they at length come within the line of twigs, and 
are made prisoners themselves. 
Though apparently cowardly birds, and never the first to 
