of which the black or cana negra is considered the best, from its strength
and the quantity of syrup contained in it.

_Mr. G.B.'s MS. Journal_, 1829-30.

* * * * *


THE BARN OWL;

_and the Benefits it confers on Man. By Charles Waterton, Esq._


This pretty aerial wanderer of the night often comes into my room; and
after flitting to and fro, on wing so soft and silent that he is scarcely
heard, he takes his departure from the same window at which he had entered.

I own I have a great liking for this bird; and I have offered it
hospitality and protection on account of its persecutions, and for its
many services to me,--I say services, as you will see in the sequel. I
wish that any little thing I could write or say might cause it to stand
better with the world at large than it has hitherto done: but I have
slender hopes on this score; because old and deep-rooted prejudices are
seldom overcome; and when I look back into the annals of remote antiquity,
I see too clearly that defamation has done its worst to ruin the whole
family, in all its branches, of this poor, harmless, useful friend of mine.

Ovid, nearly two thousand years ago, was extremely severe against the owl.
In his _Metamorphoses_ he says:--