Common, a bird of great daring, and a very general and successful destroyer of smaller ones, pouncing at once upon its prey. Usually builds in a tree which commands a good view in every direction. THE SHORT-EARED OWL (_Strix brachyotus_), i., 23. Frequently found on the mosses. Two upon Trafford Moss in the winter of 1858-9. THE WHITE OR BARN OWL (_Strix flammea_), i., 29. Common. The most frequent, familiar, and useful of the British owls, being a great destroyer of mice and young rats, therefore especially valuable to farmers who have granaries. Often laughed at because of its "stupid" look, the owl is a bird of consummate interest. The great size of the eyes is adapted to the small amount of light in which they are usually to be employed. In the broad light of day the poor creature is dazzled, and may well look irrational. Mark also the beautiful fringe around the eyes. This prevents the interference of lateral light, and the bird can concentrate the whole of its power upon what lies immediately before it, just as we ourselves shade the eye with the hand, and curve the fingers, when we want to examine some distant object more particularly. THE SONG THRUSH (_Turdus musicus_), iii., 127. Everywhere in the district, and its sweet voice known to every one. In congenial seasons it begins to sing in February. The nests, with the eggs, are brought every year to the market for sale. In the work of no creatures more than of birds, as in higher circles of life, is there more of "love's labour lost." But to balance extreme lack of wisdom, so great in the present instance is the perseverance, that if in endeavouring to raise a brood it is foiled by one of its many enemies, the thrush almost invariably follows that good old rule, "try again." THE MISSEL THRUSH (_Turdus viscivorus_), iii., 124. Common, breeding freely and very early, and building a nest similar to that of the song-thrush, but in rather slovenly fashion, and usually very conspicuous, being placed in the forks of the branches of trees. Any odd stuff is used for it, as pieces of torn-up newspaper, bits of old flannel, stray cotton-wool, old ribbon, &c. THE BLACKBIRD (_Turdus merula_), iii., 131. Common everywhere, restless and vigilant, breeding freely, known to every one, and a great plague to gardeners. Blackbirds, however, consume so many snails, that in the matter of spoiled fruit we can quite afford to be lenient. THE HEDGE SPARROW, OR DUNNOCK (_Accentor modularis_), iii., 135. Common, and especially attached to gardens. Begins to sing towards dusk, never any sooner; then mounts to the highest twig it can find near its nest, and is tuneful to the highest degree, saying, as well as a bird can, "Home, home, sweet, sweet home, my day's work is done, like yours; good night, all's well." A more exquisitely beautiful and immaculate shade of blue than that of the eggs it is scarcely possible to discover. THE ROBIN, OR REDBREAST (_Sylvia rubecula_), iii., 136.