590 BA.PTOEES, OE BIRDS OF PEEY. 



advantageously take the place of several cats. But if it is kept 

 in a cage it refuses food, and dies after a few days' captivity. 



The White Owl may be found in all parts of Europe, Asia, and 

 North America. There are two varieties of it : one in Java, the 

 Calong Owl ; the other in Mexico and the Antilles. These two 

 species differ but little from the Common White Owl, and are 

 characterised by nearly the same habits. 



The Caparacoch Owl, called by Buffon the Great Canadian 

 Sparrow Owl, measures about fifteen inches. In summer it 

 feeds upon small rodents and insects ; in winter, on Ptarmigan, 

 which it accompanies in their migrations from the South to the 

 North. It will sometimes pounce down on the game which is 

 killed by the sportsman, and, if care is not taken, will carry 

 it off. It is a native of the Arctic regions, especially those of 

 America. Sometimes it penetrates as far as German}^, but rarely 

 makes its appearance in France. 



The Harfang Owl, improperly called by some naturalists the 

 King of the Owls, attains to about twenty-two inches in height ; 

 that is, to nearly the size of the Great Horned Owl. With the 

 exception of the Lapland or Ash-coloured Owl, which measures 

 two feet, this is the largest among the Owls. Its plumage is a 

 brilliant white, with some black spots on the head. This colour 

 is well suited to the nature of the places in which the Har- 

 fang lives. This biyd inhabits the most desolate solitudes to the 

 north of America : Newfoundland, Hudson's Bay, and Greenland. 

 It is also found in Iceland and the neighbouring islands, but 

 is only accidentally seen in England and France. Thanks to 

 its colour, which harmonises so perfectly with all around, it is 

 enabled to traverse almost unseen the immense deserts of snow, 

 and thus has great facilities for surprising its prey, which consists 

 of Hazel Hens, Ptarmigan, Grouse, Hares, and Babbits. Owing 

 to its abundant plumage and thick down, it is able to brave the 

 inclemency of a climate that would be fatal to any creature less 

 amply protected. 



The fact is attested by the statement of Captain Parry, of Arctic- 

 region notoriety, that this bird frequently dies of starvation. 

 Sometimes it shows so much audacity and greediness that it is 

 impossible to entertain any doubt on the subject of its hunger, 



