196 STRICT D^. 



observed flapping gently along, searching lanes, hedge-rows, 

 orchards, and small enclosures near out-buildings. " In this 

 irregular country," says White of Selborne, " we can stand 

 on an eminence, and see them beat the fields over like a 

 setting-dog, and often drop down in the grass or corn." 

 They feed on rats, mice, shrews, small birds, and less com- 

 monly on insects, parts of all of which have been recognized 

 at diff'erent times on examination of the rejected pellets, 

 which are generally to be found in abundance near any 

 favourite place of their resort. Waterton, in whom the 

 Barn-Owl found an able and grateful advocate, truly 

 observes that if this bird usually caught its food by day, 

 instead of by night, mankind would have ocular demon- 

 stration of its utility in thinning the country of mice ; but, 

 though several times seen by him and others mousing in 

 broad daylight under a cloudless summer's sky, to form a 

 proper idea of the number it destroys we must have recourse 

 to the means above stated. It has also been known to catch 

 fishes which frequent shallow water, but this habit seems to be 

 very exceptional. " When farmers complain," he continues 

 (Mag. Nat. Hist. v. p. 13) " that the Barn-Owl destroys the 

 eggs of their pigeons, they lay the saddle on the wrong horse. 

 They ought to put it on the rat. Formerly I could get very few 

 young pigeons till the rats were excluded effectually from 

 the dovecot. Since that took place, it has produced a great 

 abundance every year, though the Barn- Owls frequent it and 

 are encouraged all around it." In further proof of which 

 assertion he conclusively urges the indiiference shewn by 

 Pigeons towards Owls compared with their alarm at the 

 sight of a Hawk. 



The Barn-Owl commonly lays from two to six eggs, which 

 are elongate and of a dull white, measuring from 1*78 to 

 1*53 by from 1*27 to 1*18 in. It breeds later in the year 

 than most other Owls — seldom till towards the end of April. 

 Waterton once found a half-fledged Owlet in the nest in 

 December, but from May to July is the usual time for the 

 young, which are at first covered with thick white down, to 

 be hatched. Not unfrequently, as with some other Owls, a 



