186 
OWLS. 
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 
be 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 be, 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 beating 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 bold, that they at length come 
within the line of twigs and are made prisoners 
themselves. 
Though apparently cowardly birds, and never the 
first to dispute with others of their own size, yet, 
when pressed, they show considerable spirit and 
