THE STONE OWL. 



49 



He likes to hide in an old wall, or behind a tomb in a churchyard. And 

 from out the darkness he Avill give a very unpleasant screech as he issues forth 

 to seek his food. Like the rest of his tribe, he flies without making a sound ; 

 but the peasant who is hurrying home hears the screech, and pretends that 

 the bird is telling him that some misfortune will happen ; so he dislikes 

 the stone owl very much. 



But the family of stone owls arc met with in many parts of the world. 



^^ / 



^t'^'rt!n>r«P" 



THE STONE OWL. 



They live very happily together, and often go In a body in search of food 

 Though they fly by night, they can see well in the day-time; and they are 

 very useful m cleanng the houses of rats and mice 



h return th."^' 7 T "T 7 '^" "^"' '"' '""^^^^^ ^^^^^ "^^^^^ ^'^ P^-e, and 



o vis of ' "' ''' !'""' '"' " ^''^ ^'"^ '- ^hem. The wise little 



owls often sit m a row over his head while he is at work 



A near relative of Minerva's owl is met with abroad, and has a very 

 curious history. He is as much like the bird we have been speaking of as can 



