The South African Birds of Prey 5 



utter ignorance and stupidity which gives countenance 

 to such behefs. According to L. E. Taylor, this bird 

 " is said to kill a large number of young pigeons in their 

 nests." As this is the only indictment for mischief 

 against the Barn-Owl which I have come across, and as 

 my friend Taylor has not seen it himself, quoting merely 

 from hearsay, I do not think much notice need be taken 

 of this accusation, until stronger and more authentic 

 evidence is forthcoming. 



The Grass Owl {Strix capensis) is not at all a common 

 bird in South Africa, and is therefore economically not 

 of much account. Still it should be protected as much 

 as possible, as it is very probably as useful as the pre- 

 ceding species. This and the preceding species can easily 

 be recognized by the absence of " ear " tufts and the 

 very pronounced " facial discs," the former bird being of 

 a pearly grey above, vermiculated with grey and brown, 

 while the latter is dark brown above, with a few small 

 scattered white spots. 



The Marsh Owl {Asia capensis) devours vlei-mice, rats, 

 frogs, lizards, and insects, and is therefore of immense 

 value to the agriculturist. This is a fairly common bird 

 in many districts, inhabiting marshy ground and the banks 

 of watercourses. It is about the same size as the Barn 

 Owl, but is of a browner duller tint and possesses " ears." 



The White-faced Owl {A. leucotis) feeds largely upon 

 grasshoppers and other insects, but also indulges in rats 

 and mice according to Messrs. Ayres and Oates. This 

 is, comparatively speaking, a scarce bird in the subcon- 

 tinent. 



The Bush Owl {Syrnium ivoodfordi) feeds on much 

 the same articles of diet as the preceding bird, but the 

 staple fare consists, so far as my limited experience 

 goes, of mice and shrews. This is also a scarce bird, and 

 seems confined to the more wooded portions of the 

 country. 



