554 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
The Common Sparrow Owl (Adhene passerina), which is very 
numerous in France, and, in fact, through the whole of Europe, is 
about the size of a Thrush. It inhabits old ruins and quarries, but 
never lives in the hollows of trees ; therefore it rarely makes its abode 
in the woods. Its nature is much less nocturnal than that of its 
congeners, and it is often seen pursuing small birds in broad daylight, 
though probably with but little success. Its general food consists of 
mice, which it tears in pieces before eating, as it is unable to swallow 
them whole. It also very skilfully plucks the feathers from birds 
which become its victims. In winter, when the snow is on the 
ground, it devours the filth deposited in the farm-yards. Like the 
Scops, it delights in following persons who pass its retreat, es- 
pecially at the break of dawn. When flying it utters a cry, Joopoo, 
poopoo ! which it substitutes, when perched, for a sound very like the 
voice of a young Frenchman saying, aime, heme, esme/ Buffon relates 
a curious anecdote on this subject :—“‘ I was sleeping in an old tower 
of the Chateau of Montbard, when a little before daybreak, at three 
o'clock in the morning, a sparrow owl came and perched on the 
window-seat of my chamber, and woke me by its cry of heme, edie. 
As I listened to this voice, which seemed to me all the more singular 
as it was so near, I heard one of my servants, who was sleeping in a 
room above, open his window, and, deceived by the well-articulated 
sound of edme, answer the bird: ‘Who is down there? My name 
is not Edme, but Peter.’ The servant actually believed that it was a 
man calling,so much did the voice of the owl resemble that of a 
human being, and so distinctly did it articulate the word.” 
The fowlers of Tessin employ the Sparrow Owl for enticing birds 
into their nets. If taken when young it is easily tamed, and shows © 
itself capable of affection. M. Bailly possessed one which exhibited 
much pleasure when rubbed on the breast, back, or head, remaining 
during the operation perfectly immovable, either on its chest or on 
its back. 
In Northern Italy this bird is reared in captivity ; it feeds on 
mice, and even eats fruit and folenta. M. Gérard relates that he 
reared a Sparrow Owl, which became so tame that it willingly allowed 
itself to be caressed. It destroyed a great many insects, and ate 
everything that was given it, but showed such a very decided pre- 
ference for raw meat that it sometimes, without letting go its hold, 
hung suspended to a morsel of intestine for more than ten minutes. 
It was on the best of terms with the cat of the house ; and they were 
often found lying close together in the same basket. The dog was 
never able to gain the bird’s affections ; and a raven, which lived in 
