LITTLE OWL. 143 



though both have now been taken several times, and most of 

 those instances will be here mentioned. There is reason, 

 however, to believe that from the general similarity in ap- 

 pearance of these two small Owls, they have been frequently 

 mistaken the one for the other. The specific distinctions 

 will be pointed out. The Little Owl is strictly nocturnal in 

 its habits, but towards the evening becomes active and 

 vigilant. Bechstein, in his Natural History of Cage Birds, 

 — for a published translation of which we are indebted to 

 Mr. Rennie, — says, " In its wild state this small species of 

 Owl frequents old buildings, towers, and church walls, where 

 its nest is also found. The female lays two white eggs of a 

 short oval form, one inch four lines in length by one inch one 

 line in breadth. The male takes his turn to sit upon the 

 eggs during incubation ; and the young ones may be very 

 easily reared on fresh meat, particularly on Pigeons." This 

 species is very frequently exposed for sale in the markets of 

 Germany, Holland, and France. 



In a wild state it feeds on mice, bats, small birds, which it 

 takes from the roost, and insects. 



" In a cage," according to Bechstein, " it may be kept 

 for some time in good health, if fed on dried mutton : the 

 skin, fat, and bones must be removed, and the meat left to 

 soak in Avater for two days before it is eaten. Three quarters 

 of an ounce a day of this meat dried will be sufficient, par- 

 ticularly if now and then some mice or small birds be given 

 it, which it swallows, feathers and all : it can devour as many 

 as five mice at a meal. It begins to wake up at about two 

 in the afternoon, and then becomes very lively, and soon 

 wants its food. If great care be not taken sometimes to give 

 it mice or birds, the fur and feathers of which cleanse the 

 stomach, it will soon die of decline. It is easily captured 

 when the place of its retreat during the day is discovered, 

 by placing a net in the form of a bag over the mouth of the 



