HORNED OWLS. 547 
stances to do so, they are assailed by all the Passerines of the neigh- 
bourhood, which resent their intrusion, and avenge the oppression 
exercised over them during the night. When thus attacked a noc- 
turnal bird places itself in the strangest postures, ruffles up its 
feathers, and balances its head with a stupid look, and expresses its 
indignation by making a cracking sound with its bill. It does not, 
however, try to defend itself, and passively receives the blows of its 
feathered enemies. The natural antipathy of small birds for their 
nocturnal destroyers has been taken advantage of for their capture. 
The fowler imitates the voice of an owl, the birds flock together and 
perch on the trees or bushes in the vicinity suspected to shelter 
one, where twigs covered with birdlime have been abundantly scat- 
tered. ‘This operation must take place about an hour before sunset, 
if later it would not be successful. This way of catching birds was 
in use in the days of antiquity, for Aristotle has given us a descrip- 
tion of it. 
In consequence of the peculiarities of the Owl, it has given rise 
to more fables and prejudices than any living creature. Although 
inoffensive in general, and even useful—for they destroy a large 
quantity of rats and mice—in the rural districts nocturnal birds of 
prey have occasioned so much superstition and terror, that they have . 
been hunted down with the utmost animosity. 
On account of the calm and grave attitude which distinguishes 
the Owl, giving it the air of a philosopher meditating on the problems 
of life, the Greeks dedicated it to Minerva. 
Mr. Swainson divides Owls into three groups—namely, Typical 
Owls, Horned Owls, and Hawk Owls; for simplicity and brevity we 
prefer making only two families—namely, those with horns and those 
without. 
HoRNED OWLS. 
Horned owls are distinguished by two tufts or horns of feathers 
placed on each side of their head. They are subdivided into 
many species, five of which—the Great Owl, Virginian Eared Owl, 
the Long-eared Owls, Short-eared Owls, and Scops-eared Owl, we 
will mention. 
The Great Owl (Ludo maximus, Fig. 254) is the most ede ile 
of the family on account of its size and strength. Its height is on 
an average two feet, and it is justly acknowledged as the king of 
nocturnal birds. Its bill and claws are of a black colour, very strong 
and hooked. Its plumage is russet, variegated with black spots and 
brown stripes ; its wings, when extended, are not less than five feet 
