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proved to be a part of the prey of this bird. Mr. Bloxam and 
Mr. Bree both notice it, The latter says, “ Some years since several 
young Owls were taken from the nest, and placed in a yew tree 
in the rectory garden here ; in this situation the parent birds 
repeatedly brought them live fish, bull heads (cottus gobio), loach 
(cubitus barbulata), &c. Since the above period, I have on more 
than one occasion found the same fish, either whole or in 
fragments, lying under the trees on which I have observed the 
young birds to perch after they have left the nest.” Mr. 
Waterton also confirms the fact ; and from different localities it 
would appear that this food was pretty generally sought after by 
the Brown Owl. We have an anecdote mentioned by Mr. 
Jennings, where gold and silver fish in the flower garden at 
Bulstrude were missing; and watchmen being appointed, saw 
Owls, which they called the common Brown Owl, alight on the 
side of the pond, and “there waiting the approach of the fish, 
captured and devoured them.” Mr. Waterton also remarks “I 
have found by dissecting the bolus or pellet ejected by this 
species, that it feeds copiously on different sorts of beetles,” a 
circumstance not entirely confined to this species. These birds 
appear to be even more sensitive of light than the Barn Owl; 
and Montague remarks “and so defective is its sight in a bright 
day, that it is no uncommon thing for boys to hunt them down 
with sticks and stones.” During its flight in the day and when 
disturbed, it moves in silence, but at night it is this bird which 
principally utters the peculiar toned hootings—this hooting is 
the most peculiar call of the genus, and from its melancholy and 
sometimes startling noise has led the superstition in all countries 
where they are natives. 
This hooting has led to the calling of this species by a separate 
Latin name. Most of the Owls have the Latin names of Strix or 
- Bubo. Cuvier called this species ulula stridula, from ululare, 
to howl like a wolf; and stridula, harsh—grating—creaking. 
There are two points about this bird which I have verified. I 
