46 



STPvIGID^. 



limes, &c., which line the great roads. There it is heard 

 in the summer evenings and nights, repeating at intervals 

 as regular as the ticking of a pendulum, its melancholy 

 and monotonous cry of " hew, heiv,'^ as little melodious as 

 the croak of a frog. It frequents the vicinity of tov.Tis, and 



THK SCOPS-EAllKL) OWL. 



lives exclusively on the larger insects. It is more abundant 

 in the southern countries of Europe than in the northern ; 

 and in autumn migrates to the Mediterranean Islands and 

 Africa. It makes its nest in holes in rocks or trees, and 

 lays from two to five eggs. 



