there a sad time; its supposed mourning notes alarmed the aged housekeeper; she thought it boded great evil; and as the gamekeeper stood better in her books when he had managed to shoot a barn owl, the numbers of this harmless tribe were thinned, as the result of the prevailing ignorance, superstition, and cruelty.

But, as at the period already mentioned Mr. Waterton returned from his scientific "wanderings” in the wilds of Guiana, this slaughter was stopped, an abode was made on the ruin of the old gateway, and a few weeks after it was finished, it was tenanted by a pair of owls. This settlement succeeded well, and, in consequence, others were formed. Here they only became objects of attention and interest; confident of protection, they show no fear when the stranger mounts up to their dwellingplace.

Kindness always brings with it a reward in the hearts of those who exercise it, while it is often attended by other advantages. Nor is it without them in the present instance. The barn owl amply repays its benefactor by destroying throughout the year an enormous quantity of mice. For these it will hunt not only during the night, but even when the sun shines brightly. When it has young it will bring a mouse to the nest about every twelve or fifteen minutes. It will sometimes carry off

rats. Thus it renders a service which many can feel and acknowledge.

"The servants," says Mr. Waterton, "now no longer wish to persecute it. Often, on a fine summer's evening, with delight I see the villagers loitering under the sycamore trees longer than they would otherwise do, to have a peep at the barn owl, as it leaves the ivy-mantled tower. Fortunate for it, if, in lieu of exposing itself to danger, by mixing with the world at large, it only knew the advantage of passing its nights at home; for here

"No birds that haunt my valley free

To slaughter I condemn ;

Taught by the Power that pities me,
I learn to pity them."

THE SNIPE.

THE common snipes are very numerous in winter, in the marshy places which afford them food and concealment; and they are increased by supplies from the north of Europe. When removing to any distance, they fly very high, and their calls can be heard when beyond the reach of ordinary sight. In the breeding season, the snipe changes its note entirely from that it makes in winter. The male will keep on wing for an hour together, mounting like a lark, making a shrill, piping noise; it then descends with great velocity, uttering a bleating sound, not unlike an old goat, which is repeated alternately round the spot possessed by the female, especially while she is sitting on her nest.

The snipe is an unsocial and solitary bird. While many of the feathered tribes, all indeed, except our birds of prey and a few others, dislike a hermit life, and are found in pairs, family parties, or flocks, the individuals of this species pass the greater part of their lives retired and alone. It is supposed they pair and raise their

young in the deep marshy tracts or reedy districts of the fen countries, where they are defended from all common injuries, and are safe from every prying eye; and rarely, perhaps never, are two of them found together, except at the breeding season. When the frosts of winter drive them from their covert in these watery tracts, they separate, and seek for food in a little lonely open spring, trickling from the side of a hill, tangled with grass and foliage, or some shallow rushing streamlet in a retired valley. To this spot the solitary bird becomes much attached; nor will the repeated firing of the sportsman drive him in fear from his place.

THE COMMON MALLARD.

THE mallard, or drake, as the male bird is called, is well known. In a domestic state, some of these birds appear in plumage very similar to the wild ones; but the former are generally inferior as to elegance of form. Wild ducks are found in Asia and America, as well as Europe; in summer choosing the lakes and marshes of the north, and in autumn migrating to others which are in a more temperate climate. In the marshy tracts of the British isles many remain throughout the year. Pennant mentions thirty-one thousand two hundred having been taken during one season in decoys, in the neighbourhood of Wainfleet; and it is recorded, that no fewer than two thousand six hundred and forty-six were caught in two days near Spalding. From the advance of agriculture, the common wild duck, as well as other wild fowl, is becoming gradually scarcer; few, comparatively, remaining to breed, since the more extensive fens have been drained and converted into pasture. Vast tracts of land in Lincolnshire, once fenny, now yield