148 BRITISH BIRDS 



times with no better protection for its four white eggs than 

 an overhanging clump of briars or gorse, and occasionally 

 in the hollow trunk of a tree. 



The young can be reared on the flesh of small birds 

 and rodents, if desired; but Owls are not nice birds to 

 keep, seeing that they are nocturnal in their habits, sleep 

 when their owners are awake, and wake up when the 

 latter are or should be asleep. 



Some time since a correspondent wrote to ask what other 

 food he could give to a tame Owl besides, or except, 

 flesh, suggesting dog-biscuit, various seeds and bread and 

 milk: he was doubtless surprised and probably disgusted 

 when he got the answer that an Owl is carnivorous in its 

 habits and lives entirely on animal matters; if he could 

 not give it suitable food, he had better let it fly away. 



Did he ? Ah ! that is a question that has remained 

 unanswered — probably he preferred the alternative of 

 slowly starving the poor thing on unsuitable diet. 



The White Owl. See Barn Owl. 



THE OXEYE. See Tit (Great). 



THE OYSTER.CATCHER. See under Plovers. 



THE PARTRIDGES. 

 The Common Brown Partridge. 



This bird is plentiful in most parts of the British Isles, 

 where it is in much request for shooting at the proper 

 season, but it can be readily tamed and makes a very 

 nice pet. It pairs for life and the hen lays from eight 

 to twelve or more eggs, which are of a greenish-brown 



