QWL. 
413 
prudence, and they continue searching for food till 
they are surprised by the morning sun, which 
breaks upon their sight, and so dazzles and confounds 
them that they are obliged to avail themselves of 
the first tree or hedge that offers, to escape from 
the glare. Here they must remain with patience 
till the evening once more allows them to see their 
way. If unfortunately all their precautions to con- 
ceal themselves from other birds should be defeated, 
there is at once a general association against them, 
and they are sure to receive no mercy. All unite 
in the general cause ; and those who would fly from 
this unfortunate bird with the greatest terror in the 
season when he could defend himself, are now the 
first to show their contempt, and employ their lit- 
tle arts of insult and abuse. They surround him 
with loud cries ; flap him with their wings, and are 
ready to show their courage to be great, as they 
are sensible that their danger is but small. Asto- 
nished and dizzy, the wretched owl is obliged to sit 
and suffer all their insults ; to which he can only 
reply by turning his head and rolling his eyes with 
an air of stupidity. An owl cannot show himself 
by day without setting the whole neighbourhood 
in an uproar ; if he should attempt to fly, the noise 
is increased, and the consciousness of their own se- 
curity is enough to make all the little birds assist 
each other in tormenting the common foe. How- 
ever, it sometimes happens that his pursuers pay 
dear for their amusement ; for, when they hunt him 
till the evening begins to close, and his faculties to 
