NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTPI AFRICA 



Grass Owl. 



[Strix cap en sis.) 



Diet. — The grass owl frequents grass-lands, vleis, and the 

 rushes on the margins of streams, and feeds on the rats and mice 

 native to the country. It also eats locusts, grasshoppers, and 

 various larvae. 



Marsh Owl. 



(j^sio cap en sis.) 



Diet. — The marsh owl inhabits swampy lands, and preys 

 on rats and mice and the larger insects inhabiting those localities. 



White-faced Owl. 



[Jsio cue Otis.) 

 Diet. — Same as that of the grass owl. 



Woodford's Owl. 



{Syrniiim woodfordi.) 



Diet. — This owl inhabits the deep, dark recesses of the 

 woods, and feeds on mice, grasshoppers, beetles, and various 

 larvae. 



Cape Eagle Owl. 



{Bubo capensis.) 



Diet. — The food of the Cape owl consists mainly of rats 

 and mice. It also preys on larger rodent pests, such as the 

 hare and the springhaas. Birds sometimes fall a prey to these 

 great owls, but not often. I have frequently found the remains 

 of various kinds of large insects in their cast-up pellets. 



Spotted Eagle Owl. 



{Buho maculosiis.) 



Diet. — Same as that of the Cape eagle owl. 

 This species of owl is often seen in gardens and parks, 

 attracted thereto by the abundance of rats. 



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