O JFZS. 



47 



that in summer it is very common in Italy, where it is remarkable for the 

 constancy with which' it utters its peculiar cry. It docs not merely "to the 

 moon complain" occasionally, but keeps uttering its plaintive and monotonous 

 note " /:c7i', /cew" at regular intervals of two seconds during the livelong night, 

 and until the listener is used to it nothing can be more wearisome ; from night- 

 fall to midnight, and probably much later, it perseveres in repeating this same 

 unwearied cry at intervals as regular as the ticking of a pendulum, as if out 

 of spite to the nightingales that generally abound in the districts it frequents. 



Suh-Fainily III. 

 THE OWLETS. SYRNIN.'E. 



General Characteristics. — Head large, smooth, and furnished with two small 

 tufts ; facial disk moderate and complete, or nearly so. 



The Owlets are found in various parts of the world, even in very- 

 high latitudes, hunting in the shady woods and thick plantations 

 for a short time before the sun sinks below the horizon, but hiding 

 themselves during the day in ruins and hollow trees. In the north- 

 ern latitudes they may frequently be seen flying about even at 

 midday, and their flight is gliding and noiseless. They live upon 

 small quadrupeds, birds, and fish, all of which they strike with 

 their foot. They build amidst rocks or upon lofty trees, and the 

 nest is composed of a considerable quantity of sticks, lined with 

 a few feathers. Some species, however, lay their eggs in the de- 

 serted' nests of other birds, or scrape a slight hollow on the ground 

 in the midst of heath ; while the nests of others {Nyctalc) arc built 

 of grass, and generally placed in holes or clefts of pine trees. 



The typical species — 



The Brown Owl {Symiiim AInco), sometimes called the Tawny Owl, 

 is not uncommon in England. It is strictly nocturnal ; the glare of day 

 dazzles and renders it quite helpless, and it shows the wisdom that might have 

 been expected from the favourite of Minerva, by retreating during the bright 

 hours to the gloom of some thick wood, where it reposes among the dense 

 foliage. In the evening, however, it quits its concealment to satisfy its some- 

 what indiscriminate appetite. Flitting along with noiseless wing, it surprises 

 the smaller quadrupeds, and even seizes young rabbits and birds, varying this 

 supper sometimes with frogs, insects, and even fish, which it captures in 

 shallow water : it will likewise devour earthworms. While engaged in its pre- 

 datory excursions it emits a loud doleful cry, resembling Jioo, Jioo, hoo ! and 

 occasionally utters a shrill scream. 



The nest of the brown owl is composed principally of the dried pellets of 

 undigested bones and fur or feathers, which all owls are in the habit of dis- 

 gorging. It is usually placed in a hollow tree, and here the female lays about 

 four eggs, from which emerge, in due time, as many grotesque-looking bodies, 



