220 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



BUBO. (Liit. cut. Owl.} 



am* 



(i 





Maximus (Lat. greatest}, the Great Eared-owl 



several times observed in Great Britain. It lays its eggs in 

 the clefts of rocks or in ruined buildings. The length of this 

 bird is upwards of two feet. 



The BARN OWL affords another instance of mistaken per- 

 secution. This beautiful and most useful bird, whose carcase 

 we so often see triumphantly nailed to the barn, actually 

 feeds upon and destroys in incalculable numbers the rats and 

 mice which bear it company in its undeserved punishment. 

 Waterton remarks, " When farmers complain that the Barn 

 Owl destroys the eggs of their pigeons, they lay the saddle on 

 the wrong horse. Thejj ought to put it on the rat. Formerly 

 I could get very few young pigeons till the rats were ex- 

 cluded from the dovecote. Since that took place, it has pro- 

 duced a great abundance every year, although the barn owls 



