VI STRIGIDAE AND 
feathered in the race from Northern and Central Asia (C. plumipes 
or bactriana). Another race (C1 g/aua), of a more sandy colour, occu- 
pies North Africa, whence the species ranges to Denmark, the 
Baltic and the Urals, and through Palestine and Afghanistan to 
East Siberia and North China. It occurs in England, where 
liberated specimens breed, but possibly diminish in numbers. (7. 
spilogastra is found in Abyssinia, C. swperciliaris in Madagascar, C. 
brama in India and Baluchistan. The Little Owl is semi-diurnal, 
and haunts wooded country and orchards; the flight in the day 
is undulating and slow with many flaps; the note is a muffled 
monosyllabic or disyHabic cry, a noisy bark, a mew, or a wail; 
the food consists of rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, snails, 
and worms. from three to five eggs are deposited on débris in 
crevices of rocks or masonry, in buildings, hollow trees, or even ant- 
hills. Of old the European form was the bird of Pallas Athene 
and the emblem of wisdom, but whether from its grave appearance 
when quiescent, or—sarcastically—trom its buffoon-hke contortions 
and bowings must remain doubtful ; we may, however, compare the 
Malagasy name of Scops magicus, “ atoroko,” which means “ I am 
going to say,” and the similarly philosophic look that 1t can put on. 
Surnia ulula or funerea, the Hawk-Owl, ranges from Scandi- 
navia and North Russia to Kamtschatka or even Alaska, whence a 
race with a blacker head, and broader, redder bands below, stretches 
through Arctic America, and visits Britain more commonly 
than the typical form. This is dark brown above, freely marked 
with white, and white below, with distinct but narrow brown 
bars; the facial disks are very imperfect, the toes are feathered 
to the claws. The exceptionally compact and firm plumage, the 
short, acuminate wings, and the long tail conduce to its Hawk-lke 
appearance, heightened still more by the quick flight, the fierce 
manners, and the shrill Kestrel-like ery. From their native pine- 
forests a few individuals wander southwards towards winter ; 
while at home they feed on lemmings and rodents generally, Willow 
Grouse and other birds, and insects. They sit watching for prey 
on bare branches or stumps in the sunlight, occasionally dashing 
after a Jay or the like; not unfrequently they quarter the ground 
like a Harrier, and of course hunt at night also. From three to 
eight eggs are deposited on a few chips in hollow stumps, in boxes 
set up by the Lapps; or in a relined nest of some other species; the 
parents being perfectly fearless in their attacks on an intruder. 
