Indian Birds 



The Owls, 135-139 



Owls form a well-marked natural order It 

 is easy enough to recognise an owl when one 

 sees one, but not easy to say to what species 

 it belongs^ because all owls bear a strong re- 

 semblance to one another — all are of much 

 the same colour — reddish brown with darker 

 bars or drops. Moreover, they are all crea- 

 tures of the night, so, save with one exception, 

 are not much en evidence in the daytime. This 

 exception is that little clown, the spotted owlet. 



135. Athene hrama : The Spotted Owlet. 



(F. 1 1 80), 0-76), (II-) 



A small owl ; upper plumage earthy brown 

 or grey in colour, copiously spotted and barred 

 with white. Lower plumage white with dark 

 brown spots and cross bars. 



It comes out long before sunset and pours 

 forth a volley of chuckles and squeaks ; two 

 of these individuals often shouting at once. 

 When it catches sight of a human being it 

 stares at him with its bright golden orbs and, 

 as Eha observes, bows with sarcastic effect. 

 No one who has dwelt any length of time in 

 India can fail to have remarked this very noisy 

 little owl. It nests in holes of trees or in the 

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