170 THE TAWNY HOOTING OWL. 



Scotland. I have received further communications from my hon. friends, 

 the member for Lanarkshire (Mr Hozier), and the member for Kirkcud- 

 brightshire (Mr Stewart), and from meetings of agriculturists in that part 

 of Scotland. In deference to their representations. I have directed a further 

 inquiry to be made. With regard to the Bill for the purpose of temporarily 

 prohibiting the destruction of birds of prey and vermin, I apprehend that 

 what is required is some remedy for the plague which will take immediate 

 effect, whereas the operation of the Bill would be remote. I have no reason 

 to believe, so far as presently informed, that the sudden appearance of the 

 mice plague is due to the destruction of birds of prey and vermin, which has 

 been going on for years. But if, on further inquiry, it is shown that a 

 remedy can be supplied, either in that or any other direction, legislation 

 will support or introduce any measure to be effectual for the purpose." 



So here we see that, while I write this unassuming history of 

 our feathered friends, the wholesale destruction of birds of prey 

 — which has been going on for years — has at last been brought 

 before our Imperial Parliament. In the interest of the farmers, 

 we hope that further wholesale destruction of our birds of prey 

 — called vermin, may be stopped ; and 



" May he that will not wish for such a hope, 

 Go home to bed, and, like the owl by day, 

 If he arise, be mock'd and wondered at." — Henry VI. 



The Tawny Hooting Owl or Ivy Owl. 



(Strlx Aluco) or (Strix Stridula.) Linn. (Ulula Strldula.) Mild. 



" Blythe ravens croak of death ; and, when the owl 

 Tries his two voices for a favourite strain — 

 Tu-whit, tu-whoo — the unsuspecting bird 

 Forebodes mishap. " — Wordsworth. 



Next to the common long-eared owl and the barn owl, this is 

 the most generally diffused of our indigenous owls — to be met 

 with in all densely-wooded districts — preferring plantations 

 which abound in firs and ivy, where it remains concealed during 

 the day. It is more common in the Midland and Southern 

 Counties of Scotland than the Northern. It is rare about St 

 Andrews, although I have specimens in my collection got in the 

 district, and have heard it in the old fir park on Tentsmuir. 

 It is even more nocturnal than the barn owl ; yet, according to 

 Yarrell, it preys on leverets, young rabbits, moles, rats, mice, 

 birds, frogs, and insects, as well as occasionally on fish, like its 

 white congener. Its wings are not so long, nor its flight so 

 rapid and buoyant, as the barn owl's, but quite as noiseless and 



