O IVLS. 



49 



other small quadrupeds, which they swallow whole ; the hairs, 

 bones, and other indigestible parts being subsequently disgorged 

 in oval pellets. Some species live on crustaceous animals. They 

 build their nests on old towers, in the roofs of churches, the thatch 

 of barns, or in the hollows of trees. The female lays from two to 

 five eggs. 



.bniV''ilW^y,,.'^li: 



Fig. 23.-THE Barn Owl {Slrix JJanmca). 



The type of this sub-family is — 



The Barn Owl (Strix''^ flammed), sometimes called the Screech Owl, 

 commonly met with in the British islands and generally throughout the east- 

 ern hemisphere. It is from fourteen to fifteen inches in length, the females 

 being slightly larger than the males. The barn owl approaches boldly to the 

 dwelling-places of man, and seeks for food in the midst of towns and villages, 

 and in the cultivated fields surrounding them. His chosen abode is some dark 

 hole or corner of an old building, the tower of a church, or the roof of a bam, 

 or sometimes a hollow tree. In this retreat he dozes away the bright hours, 

 and if driven from his concealment in the day-time, is so dazzled by the light 

 as to be quite bewildered and helpless. As evening approaches, his sight be- 

 comes keen enough, and he glides out on noiseless pinions in search of prey. 

 He may then be seen dashing round the stacks and buildings in the farm-yard, 

 or skimming over the fields and along the hedgerows, in pursuit of small ani- 

 mals that are abroad at night. While thus upon the wing, he drops suddenly 

 down upon his prey, seizes it in his claws, and uttering a loud cry or screech, 



* arpi^, strix, an oivl. 



