THE WORIiD'S BIRDS. 87 



fluffy down, at first white in colour, but afterwards 

 sometimes buff, grey, or even sooty. A nestful 

 often shows very different sizes, owing to hatching 

 at different times. 



Nest.— None as a rule, the eggs being laid in a hole of 

 a tree, rock, or building, on the ground, or in the 

 nest of some other bird. 



Eggs.— Several ; glossy, spotless white. 



Incubation. — About a month. 



Courtship. — The Tawny Owl bows and spreads its tail 

 like a pigeon. 



Food.— Small vertebrates, especially rats and mice; 

 rarely fish; but often insects. They cast up 

 pellets of the indigestible parts. They seize and 

 hold their prey with the feet. 



Gait.— A walk, usually awkward, with occasional hops. 

 Some species run well, and all perch freely on occa- 

 sion, though some naturally live away from trees. 



Flight. — Soft and noiseless, but not very fast as a 

 rule. Some at any rate soar strongly, and some 

 small species have an undulating flight. The feet 

 are extended behind. 



Disposition and Habits. — They have been credited 

 with the opposite qualities of wisdom and stupidity. 

 Their awkward-looking movements of the head 

 suggest the latter, and also that they are dazzled 

 by light ; but they can really see well in the day, 

 and are quite as intelligent as hawks, and more 

 courageous. They often lay up superfluous food 

 for future occasions. They bathe and dust, but 

 seldom drink. 



Note.— Commonly unpleasant, a screech or howl; 

 but very varied, the " hoots " of some being musical 

 enough. 



Economic Qualities.— No birds are as a family more 

 useful or deserving of protection, owing to their 

 destruction of vermin ; but some of the large 



