A large white spot, ill-defined and shapeless in the distance and the
dimness, glides along the edge of the wood, then across in front before
the fir plantation, next down the hedge to the left, and presently
passes within two yards, going towards the wood again along this mound.
It is a white owl: he flies about five feet from the ground and
absolutely without a sound. So when you are walking at night it is quite
startling to have one come overhead, approaching from behind and
suddenly appearing. This owl is almost fearless; unless purposely
alarmed he will scarcely notice you, and not at all if you are still.
As he reaches the wood he leaves the hedge, having gone all round the
field, and crosses to a small detached circular fir plantation in the
centre. There he goes out of sight a minute or two; but presently
appears skirting the low shed and rickyard yonder, and is finally lost
behind the hedges. This round he will go every evening, and almost
exactly at the same time--that is, in reference to the sun, which is the
clock of nature.
Step never so quietly out from the mound, the small birds that unnoticed
have come to roost in the bushes will hear it and fly off in alarm. The
rabbits that are near the hedge rush in; those that are far from home
crouch in the furrows and the bunches. Crossing the open field, they
suddenly start as it seems from under your feet--one white tail goes
dapping up and down this way, another jerks over the 'lands' that way.
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