OWLS. 
185 
young one. And such was, indeed, the fact ; for night 
after night, for fourteen days, was this same mark of 
attention repeated. The game which the old ones 
carried to it consisted chiefly of young partridges, 
for the most part newly killed, hut sometimes a little 
spoiled. On one occasion, a moor-fowl was brought, 
so fresh that it was actually warm under the wings; 
a putrid, stinking lamb was at another time deposited. 
It was supposed that the spoiled flesh had already 
been some time in the nest of the old Owls, and that 
they brought it merely because they had no better 
provision at the time. The gentleman and his ser- 
vant watched several nights, in order that they 
might observe, through a window, when and how this 
supply was brought; but in vain — for it appeared 
that the Owls, which are very quick-sighted, had 
discovered the moment when the window was not 
watched, as food was found to be placed before the 
coop on those very nights. In the month of August, 
the attention on the part of the old birds ceased ; 
but it should be observed that this was the usual 
period when all birds of prey abandon their young to 
their own exertions, and usually drive them off to 
shift for themselves in distant haunts. 
It may be readily concluded, from this instance, 
how much game must be 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, but experienced sportsmen are 
most of them of opinion, that game is rather pre- 
served than destroyed by them ; the great destruction, 
exclusive of poaching, proceeding from weasels, 
stoats, rats, &c., which suck the eggs, and in one 
