150 STRIGID^. 



while the structure of the real ear and the form of its conch 

 are regarded as of considerable value ; and, giving due weight 

 to the fact that the power of hearing in Owls is very likely 

 more acute than in most other birds and is of greater help 

 to them in procuring their prey than the sense of sight, the 

 importance attached to the characters therewith connected 

 does not seem to be exaggerated. 



The difficulties which beset the classification of the Strigidce 

 are not limited to the determination of their natural affinities, 

 but extend to their scientific nomenclature, which has long 

 been in a most confused state. Under the generic term Strix 

 Linnaeus arrayed all the Owls known to him, but Brisson 

 most justifiably divided that genus, and in so doing fixed 

 upon the Strix aluco of his contemporary as its type. 

 Though most ornithologists have disregarded that determi- 

 nation and have retained the original word for the Barn-Owl, 

 it seems that Brisson's assignment of the term must, accord- 

 ing to strict rule, be followed, and therefore it is here adopted 

 for the S. aluco of Linnieus, the Tawny or Brown Owl. 



The Tawny Owl is a common bird in most well-wooded 

 districts of this country, where its numbers have not been 

 diminished through persecution, and is strictly nocturnal in 

 ijts habits, seldom moving or leaving its place of conceal- 

 ment during the day, and appears, more than any other 

 species of Owl, to be incommoded by bright light. It inha- 

 bits parks abounding in hollow trees, thick woods, or strong 

 plantations of evergreens, and at nightfall issues forth to 

 seek its food, sometimes visiting small enclosures about farm- 

 houses, at others taking a wider range over the neighbouring 

 fields. It feeds chiefly on small mammals, particularly the 

 short-tailed field-mice or voles, and the true mice, rats, shrews 

 and moles, with beetles. It sometimes takes small birds, and 

 several writers have proved that this Owl feeds occasionally 

 on fish, and is able to catch species that swim near the surface 

 in deep water, as well as those that are to be found among 

 stones in the shallowest parts of brooks. 



The eggs of this species are smooth and white, measuring 

 from 1"96 to 1*68 by 1"64 to 1*43 in. These, to the number 



