(50 



STRIGIDiE. 



change from the silence of night, rather than the reverse. 

 The Little Owl is not generally supposed to be common 

 in England; but as it comes abroad only by night, and 

 offers but an indifferent mark to the prowling game- 

 keeper, it may be more abundant than it is believed to 

 be. .Its food consists of mice, beetles, bats, and such 





Hh- LITTLE OWL. 



small birds as it can surprise when roosting. It lays its 

 eggs in its usual hiding-place, making no nest. In cap- 

 tivity it is a most amusing bird, for though quiet and 

 grave by day, towards evening it becomes very animated, 

 twisting its body with strange contortions, and jumping 

 in a peculiarly ludicrous manner. 



