THE TAWNY OWL. 



SYENIUM ALUCO. 



Beak greyish yellow ; irides bluish dusky ; upper parts reddish brown, variously 

 marked and spotted with dark brown, black, and grey ; large white spots on 

 the scapulars and wing coverts ; primaries and tail feathers barred alternately 

 with dark and reddish brown ; lower parts reddish white, with transverse 

 brown bars and longitudinal dusky streaks ; legs feathered to the claws. 

 Length sixteen inches ; breadth three feet. Eggs dull white. 



This bird, the Ulula of tlie ancients, took its name from 

 the Latin ululare ; the word used to denote, and partially 

 to imitate, the cry of the wolf : it enjoys also the doubtful 

 honour of giving name to the whole tribe of "Owls," 

 whether they howl, hoot, or screech. This species is by 

 no means so generally diffused as the last, but yet is not 

 uncommon in many of the wooded parts of England, 

 especially the west. But even here, owing to its nocturnal 

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