STRIX FLAMMEA. 163 



not extend above the eyes. It hunts during the day as well as 

 night — in this and other respects it approaches nearer to the 

 Falconidce than the rest of the owls. Its flight is more rapid and 

 active, less buoyant, and pursues such birds as ducks, grouse, or 

 pigeons on the wing, and it strikes them — not unlike a peregrine 

 falcon — which its longer tail, wings, and claws enable it to do. 

 It also pursues rabbits and hares when they are running, and 

 trusts more to pursuit than surprise — unlike the more nocturnal 

 owls ; its plumage is also closer than theirs. It preys upon all 

 kinds of animal food, and even on fishes, which it seizes with 

 its very sharp claws. It is found in all the northern parts of the 

 world. It is the Harfang of the Swedes. Its colour is white, 

 spotted and barred with brown on the head and neck ; the legs 

 and toes are covered to the claws with hairy-like feathers ; its 

 bill is also covered almost to the tip ; iris bright yellow. It has 

 its nest on the ledges of rocks, also on the ground, and lays three 

 or four white eggs. The round white eggs and feathered legs 

 of all the owls, like a well-agreeing human family, knit them 

 together better than most families of birds. The male is 

 23 inches long to end of tail, and 56 inches in extent of wings. 

 The female, much larger, is 26 and 65 inches. But, as we have 

 no cliffs high enough about St Andrews, I shall leave our 

 snowy friends to the wilder rocks and cliffs of Scandinavia. 



The Barn Owl, Screech Owl, White Owl. 



(Strix Flammea.) Linn. 



" Now the wasted brands do glow, 



Whilst the screech owl, screeching loud, 

 Puts the wretch, that lies in woe, 

 In remembrance of a shrowd." 



— "A Midsummer Night's Dream.'" 



Except the snowy owl, this is the lightest coloured of all our 

 owls, and found in every part of Britain where there are ruins 

 or cliffs suitable for it. This feathered friend of the farmer is 

 well-named the barn owl, for it selects the out-of-way corners 

 and holes of barns, ruins, and cliffs (not liable to interruption) 

 for its nesting-places. It is essentially nocturnal, and lives 

 chiefly on mice, as a sailor lives by the sea, or a swallow by the 

 air. On the approach of twilight it may be seen gliding from 

 its hiding-place, like a phantom, with a noiseless flight which 



