By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 35 



like the Barn owl, it deposits its eggs at irregular intervals, the 

 first being sat upon as soon as laid ; the young of the same nest 

 differ in consequence very considerably in size. It has been called 

 the Wood, the Ivy, and the Broion, as well as the Taimxy Owl. 



IMtle Owl (Noctua passerina). Rare in England, but very 

 numerous on the continent, especially in the warmer parts of it, is 

 this diminutive species, scarcely larger than the blackbird ; it is 

 essentially nocturnal, being quite incapable of moving by daylight, 

 but as night approaches, it becomes extremely active, and shows 

 great dexterity in securing its prey, which consists of mice, beetles, 

 and small birds. Rennie, in his edition of " White's Selborne" says, 

 "I recollect seeing in Wiltshire the remains of a specimen of the rare 

 Sparrow Owl, ' Strix passerina,' nailed up to a barn door :" but more 

 recently another was killed in the neighbourhood of Chippenham 

 in 1838, and is now in Mr. Marsh's collection. 



This closes the list of the owls, found in this county, and with 

 the owls is concluded the account of the first division or Order, the 

 Birds of Prey. 



Alfred Charles Smith. 



Yatealury Rectory, C'alne, March 3rd, 1857. 



d2 



