Aluco. BIRDS. ACCIPITRES. 51 



They have the face dark coloured. This owl pursues, in dark weather, pigeons, 

 moorfowl, and plovers. Feeds likewise on mice and small birds. From the tes- 

 timony of Mr Low, it breeds in Orkney, but, in the middle districts of Scot- 

 band and England, it appears in harvest, and departs in spring, frequenting 

 stubble-fields and long grass. When disturbed it flies but to a short distance. 



Gen. XV. ALUCO. Barn-Owl. — Lower part of the tarsi 

 and toes thinly clothed with white hairs. 



29. A.Jlammeus. — Bill white, claws dusky. 



A. minor, Will. Orn. 6G. Slbb. Scott. 15 — White Owl, Perm. i. 200 — 

 Strix flammea, Tcmm. Orn. i. 91 — Church-Owl, Hissing-Owl, Screech- 



Owl W, Dylluan wen ; G, Cailleach-ordhche gheal — Near houses 



and old ruins. — Common. 

 Length 14, breadth 3(5 inches; weight 12 ounces. Plumage, above, pale 

 yellowish-brown, with interrupted streaks of dusky and grey, and dusky freck- 

 les. Beneath white. First and second quill-feathers of equal length. Webs 

 nc'. abbreviated. This species breeds in steeples and old ruins, or trees. Eggs, 

 3 or 4, of a white colour. Young, easily tamed. Feeds on mice, and is use- 

 ful about barns. Devours the shrew. Makes a noise by hissing and snap- 

 ping its bill. Besides throughout the year. 



Gen. XVI. BUBO. Eagle-Owl. — Toes closely covered 

 with feathers. 



30. B. maximus. — Second and third quill-feathers longest. 



Bubo, Will. Orn. 63 — B. max, Sibb. Scot. 15. Eagle-Owl, Penn. Brit. 



Zool. i. 202 NeilVs Tour in Orkney, p. 195 — Strix bubo, ( Linn.) 



Temm. i. 100. — IV, y Ddylluan fawr — In England and Scotland, rare. 



Length 2 feet, bill and claws dusky ; irides orange. Plumage above, wa- 

 ved with black and yellow ; beneath yellow, with black stripes. Throat white, 

 a character peculiar to the male. Breeds in rocks. Eggs 3, round and white. 

 It occurs in Orkney, where it preys, according to Mr Neill, on rabbits and 

 moorfowl. It has been shot in different places of England, but may be con- 

 sidered rare, and probably nothing more than a straggler. 



Gen. XVII. SCOPS.— Feet naked. 



31. S. Aldrovandi. — Bill black, irides yellow. 



Will. Orn. G5 Little Horned-Owl, Mont. Orn. Diet. Supp Strix Scops, 



Temm. Orn. i. 103 Yorkshire, Mr Fothergill ; and Mr Folgamble. 



Bare. 



Length 1\ inches. Plumage variegated with dusky, rufous, brown and 

 grey ; the brown predominating above the grey beneath. Quills transversely 

 barred with rufous-white. Feathers on the legs rufous-grey. Tarsi and claws 

 brown. Horns and head brown, with black dots. Breeds in rocks. Eggs 2 

 to 4, of a white colour. Though not uncommon on the Continent of Europe, 

 it must be regarded as little else than a straggler in Britain. 



Gen. XVIII. STRIX.— Feet closely feathered. 



32. S. stridula. Ivy-Owl. — Bill pale horn-coloured, irides 

 and claws dusky. 



