196 BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



two small erect tufts of feathers on the top of the head, 

 popularly termed 'ears' or 'horns.'' 



The Owls range in size from birds smaller than Sky- 

 larks to birds larger than Buzzards. In colour they 

 vaiy from the more typical mottled browns to the but 

 slightly spotted white of the beautiful Snowy Owl of the 

 Arctic. In both respects the present species stands mid- 

 way. ' Barn-Owl,' ' Screech-Owl,' and ' White-Owl ' are the 

 commonest of the popular names applied to it. It is 

 remarkable, as the late Professor Newton pointed out, 

 that the English language, usually so rich in synonyms, 

 has but the one name ' Owl ' for the three or fom* 

 common and easily distinguishable kinds found in the 

 British Isles. In other languages separate names exist by 

 which the commoner species can be designated without 

 recourse to qualifying adjectives. The word 'Owl,' with- 

 out qualification, is merely a general term for the Order. 

 ' Owlet ' (or ' Howlet ') is only a poetic or popular 

 diminutive, and carries no special significance. 



The name ' Screech-Owl ' refers to the familiar cry of 

 this species, a cry which, heard unexpectedly, may for 

 an instant startle the least impressionable, and make him 

 readily understand how it may even terrify the ignorant 

 and the superstitious. Weird cries are characteristic of 

 Owls ; and, heard as they are in the hours of darkness, it 

 is only natural that they should have given rise to gloomy 

 superstitions, and have led their authors to be widely 

 regarded as birds of evil omen. Fear breeds hate, and 

 so we find the Owl an object of general persecution at 

 the hands of the ignorant. As a matter of fact, they 

 are altogether the friends of man. They are skilful 

 hunters, but devote most of their energies to the capture 

 of rats and mice and their allies — all foes of the farmer. 

 Various small birds are also taken, as opportunity offers ; 



