420 SYRNIA PSILODACTYLA. 



on mice, small birds, and insects ; frequents old buildings, 

 towers, and churches, where it also nestles, laying two eggs, 

 on which the male sits alternately with the female. Accord- 

 ing to some, it is nocturnal, and may easily be captured, on 

 discovering its retreat, by placing a bag-net over its hole. In 

 captivity, it thrives pretty well, and it is often exposed for sale 

 on the Continent. This species not having been clearly 'dis- 

 tinguished by many authors from Strix Tengmalmi, it is not 

 expedient to venture upon many remarks respecting it. I shall 

 therefore conclude with an abridged extract from M. Valmont- 

 Bomare. Its ordinary cry, which it repeats when flying, is 

 poupou, poupou ; but when settled it emits a louder and sharper 

 cry, so distinct that one might take it for a person calling out 

 aime, heme, esme. M, Buffon says that one of his people was 

 so deceived by the cry of one at night, that he went to the 

 window, and called out, " Who is down there ? My name is 

 not Edme but Peter." It is not entirely nocturnal, but flies 

 during the day much better than any of the other owls, and 

 often pursues swallows and other small birds, although seldom 

 with success. It succeeds better with mice and young rats, 

 which it tears to pieces with its bill and claws. It also plucks 

 birds very neatly before eating them, whereas most other owls 

 swallow feathers and all. It lays five eggs, M^hich are spotted 

 with white and yellowish. 



