NATURAL HISTORY. 



221 



Sub-family d. Strigince. 

 STRIX. (Lat. a ScreecJi-owl.) 



Flammea (Lat.Jla.ninf/), th.: Barn-owl. 



frequent it, and are encouraged all around it. The barn owl 

 merely resorts to it for repose and concealment. If it were 

 really an enemy to' the dovecote, we should see the pigeons 

 in commotion as soon as it begins its evening flight, but the 

 pigeons heed it not, whereas if the sparrow-hawk or hobby 

 should make its appearance, the whole community would be 

 up at once. ... I am amply repaid for the pains I have taken 

 to protect and encourage the barn owl ; it pays me an hun- 

 dred fold by the enormous quantity of mice which it destroys 

 throughout the year." 



It also destroys great numbers of beetles and other insects. 

 It is possible that it may destroy young birds, but not probable, 

 as feathers and birds' bones are never found among the rejecta- 

 ni3iita. It will, however, when domesticated devour a dead 

 sparrow or linnet when presented to it. 



The Barn Owl lays three or four eggs upon a mass of the 

 pellets which all the owls disgorge. Its length is rather more 

 than twelve inches ; the second primary feather is the longest. 



