132 STRIGID.E. 



Most of the various systematic names by 'whicli this Owl 

 has been desicrnated are here brous^ht towther in one view, 

 as referring to the same bird : differences observed in tlie 

 plumage, some specimens being reddish brown or tawny, 

 Avhile others were grey, had led to a belief in the existence 

 of two distinct species. 



The Tawny Owl is a common bird in most well-wooded 

 districts, and is strictly nocturnal in its habits, seldom mov- 

 ing or leaving its place of concealment during the day, and 

 appears, more than any other species of Owl, to be incom- 

 moded by bright light. It inhabits thick woods, or strong 

 plantations of evergreens, and at nightfall issues forth to seek 

 its food, sometimes visiting small enclosures about farm- 

 houses, at others taking a wider range over the neighbouring 

 fields. It feeds indiscriminately on leverets, young rabbits, 

 moles, rats, mice, birds, frogs, and insects. Several Avriters 

 have proved that this Owl feeds occasionally on fish, and 

 that it is able to catch either those species that swim near the 

 surface in deep water, or the bullhead and loach, that are to 

 be found among stones in the shallowest parts of brooks. 



The eggs of this species are large compared with those of 

 either of the three Owls last described. They are smooth 

 and white, measming one inch ten lines in length, by one 

 inch six lines in breadth. These, to the number of three or 

 four, are usually deposited in a hole in a tree, and, according 

 to Mr. Jenyns, are hatched in April. For a considerable 

 time the young, covered with a greyish white down, are fed 

 in the nest ; they afterwards perch among the branches of 

 trees near the nest, where the parent birds still continue to 

 feed them. The young of this species of Owl are said to be 

 more easily reared than others, being much less choice in the 

 quality of their food. The note of this Owl is a loud and 

 melancholy hoot, most frequently heard in the evening. 



The Tawny Owl may be traced through the western coun- 



