STRIX ASIO* 



RED OWL. 



[Plate XLII. Fig. 1, Female.] 



Little Owl, Catesb. i., 7. — Lath, i., 123. — Linn. Syst. 132. Arct. Zool. ii., No. 117. 



TuRT. Sysl. I., p. 166. 



This is another of our nocturnal -wanderers, well known by its com- 

 mon name, the Little Screech Owl ; and noted for its melancholy qui- 

 vering kind of wailing in the eveiiings, particularly towards the latter 

 part of summer and autumn, near the farm-house. On clear moonlight 

 nights, they answer each other from various parts of the fields or orchard ; 

 roost during the day in thick evergreens, such as cedar, pine, or juniper 

 trees, and are rarely seen abroad in sunshine. In May they construct 

 their nest in the hollow of a tree, often in the orchard, in an old apple 

 tree ; the nest is composed of some hay and a few feathers ; the eggs 

 are four, pure white and nearly round. The young are at first covered 

 with a whitish down. 



The bird represented in the plate, I kept for several weeks in the room 

 beside me. It was caught in a barn, where it had taken up its lodging, 

 probably for the greater convenience of mousing ; and being unhurt, I 

 had an opportunity of remarking its manners. At first it struck itself 

 so forcibly against the window, as frequently to deprive it, seemingly, 

 of all sensation for several minutes ; this was done so repeatedly, that I 

 began to fear that either the glass, or the Owl's skull, must give way. 

 In a few days, however, it either began to comprehend something of the 

 matter, or to take disgust at the glass, for it never repeated its attempts ; 

 and soon became quite tame and familiar. Those who have seen this bird 

 only in the day, can form but an imperfect idea of its activity, and even 

 sprightliness, in its proper season of exercise. Throughout the day, it 

 was all stillness and gravity ; its eyelids half shut, its neck contracted, 

 and its head shrunk seemingly into its body ; but scarcely was the sun 

 set, and twilight began to approach, when its eyes became full and 

 sparkling, like two living globes of fire ; it crouched on its perch, recon- 

 noitred every object around with looks of eager fierceness ; alighted and 

 fed ; stood on the meat with clenched talons, while it tore it in morsels 

 with its bill ; flew round the room with the silence of thought, and 



* This is the young bird. 



noil 



