Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-11-07
Written for the HERALD.
ORNITFOLOGY.
THE NIGHT BIRDS AND THEIR USE TX
THE FARMER.
BY GEO. A. BALCH.
Continual.

But nevertheless, i'll spite of this gen.
eral and unaccountable feeling, it is
true, that of all birds of prey, the owls
are of the most value to the farmer.
Their work is accomplished at a time
when there is but little known of their
wanderings, and consequently is of in
estimable benefit to the farmer in pro
tectinG his corntield and granaried pro-
vision from the ravages of rats, mice,
and countless other verlnin. Yet it is d
noticeable fact that superstition has
made these birds the object of the
farmers ill-will, and consequent con-
domination. | wish it was in my pow
er to write or say something in favor
of these birds which would enable them
TO stand better in the opinion of the
farmer But deep-rooted prejudices
have proved themselves unapproach-
able, either by silence, or public opin-
ion. And when ! look back into the
annals of remote antiquity, | find that
defamation has done its best to ruin
the whole family of these harmless but
useful friends of the farmer. Now if
this bird caught its food in the day
time 50 that the public could have ocu-
lar demonstration of its utility in de-
stroylng the excessive increase of the
pests OF the granary, they would be
protected and encouraged everywhere.
But as it is not self evident to the sense
OF sight, they are generally condemned
by the public as worthy to suffer the
penalty OF death. 1t has been stated
that some species of this family when
it has young, will brin mouse to its
nest every fifteen minutes and an or
nlthologist teStifes that he saw an owl
ny away with rat that had just been
shot. 1t is not to be disputed that as
1t IS the natural mission, founded uDon
and inculcated by the instructive traits
and habits OF the vulture to cleanse
the earth Of its carrion and the decay
ing substances in general: and that of
the falcons to keep down the super
abundance of small and inferior birds,
Quadrnpeds, and some of the reptiIia.
which, If unlimited, would affect the
productivenesS Of vegetable nature :
SO it is the appointed business of the
owls, and the night owls more par
ticUlarly to check the inordinate in
crease of yermin which DO their mis-
chief In the night, and therefore escape
the pursuit of the diurnal hunters, and
are little liable to be captured by the
devices OF man, who are in fact the
victims Of these pests. And while we /
are in the arms of natures quiet restor
er, these birds are filing the active
sphere for which they We're made by
the Creator We admit however that
the owls occasionally make descent
upon the domestic fowls, especially |
when their roosts are situated in the |
open air near the skirts of some lonely
shaded woods where the cosy farm |
house may stand sheltered by over. |
hanging trees. Itistrue also that more
frequently than the eagle, he may play
the part OF a murderer in the farmyard; I
yet | venture the assertion that the
number of rats, mice, and weasels that
he destroys, would leave large bal
ance in his favor. BE this as il may, |
very certain it is that if his enormities
were multiplied an hundred-fold, they
would not begin to weigh against his |
services as the eXterminator of these |
small quadrupeds which are the real (
devastators, alike of the poultry yards,
the dove-cot, the farm and granary. 1
Everything about tlis bird seems to be /
created and almost perfected with ref
erence for which it is intended, With
their large, pronineAt eyes e5liestlaG
every RAJ OF ign, tao.i pupils jutlls