32 On the Ornitholocjy of Wilts [Stngiclce:]. 



point. This species occurs frequently througliout the coimtry, and 

 is so often roused by partridge shooters in turnips, and from the 

 long grass by the side of ditches, that it is needless to particularize 

 localities of its capture. 



Barn Owl (Strix flammea). We now come to the smooth headed 

 or hornless owls, unadorned with the feathery tufts which, he have 

 noticed as belonging to the foregoing species : first of these, and 

 by far the most common of British owls is the species now under 

 consideration, the ' Barn' or ' White' owl, which rejoices in a great 

 many provincial names, as the ' Church ' owl, the ' Hissing ' owl, 

 the 'Screech' owl, &c. ; though called ivhite, and having a white 

 appearance generally, as it is seen emerging from the Church 

 tower or barn, in either of which it loves to dwell, and hunting 

 over the meadows on noiseless wing, yet when seen nearer, its 

 plumage will be found to be more beautifully marked, and more 

 deKcately pencilled than that of almost any other bird : the under 

 parts are pure white, here and there slightly speckled with faint 

 yellow ; but the upper plumage, which is of a remarkable softness 

 in texture, is of a dark buff or liglit j^ellow colour, the tips of the 

 feathers speckled and spotted with black, presenting a very pleasing 

 appearance. The ruff in this species is very distinct, the mouth 

 and gullet very wide, the ears extremely large, the wings very 

 long and broad, and the flight A^ery buoyant. It feeds principally 

 on mice, of which it destroys an extraordinary quantity, and which 

 it seizes and swallows at once, without any attempt to tear them in 

 pieces with its claws ; and is quite guiltless of touching poultry or 

 pigeons, notwithstanding the prevailing opinion to the contrary, 

 and the deeply rooted prejudice to the much maligned bird in con- 

 sequence. It is probably to be found in every village in the 

 county, though its nocturnal habits conduce to screen it from the 

 vulgar gaze : during the day it reposes with closed eyes in the 

 retreat it has selected, but as twilight comes on it issues forth in 

 silence, making no perceptible noise as it strikes the air with its 

 AvooUy wings, but ever and anon screeching out its note of joy and 



wild and startling notes, as it has done since the days of Ovid. 

 " Est illis strigibus nomen, sed nominis hujus 

 Causa quod horreudi stridere nocte solent." 



