124 SHORT-EARED OWL. 



than in the male, and in other respects they are somewhat 

 different. 



3. OWL TRIBE. 



These are chiefly nocturnal birds, or fly abroad in 

 search of food, only in the evening and during the night. 

 They prey on small birds, mice, and several of the larger 

 kinds of insects. Their head is round ; and about the 

 eyes the feathers are ranged as if proceeding from a 

 common centre in the middle of the eye. Some of the 

 species have feathers on each side of the head, which have 

 the appearance of ears or horns. 



Great Horned or Eagle Owl. This bird, in ancient 

 times, was considered sacred to Minerva. It is of im- 

 mense size, inhabits inaccessible rocks and desert places, 

 in several parts both of Europe and Asia, and preys, by 

 night, on hares, rabbits, rats, moles, and nocturnal birds. 

 Its nest is large, sometimes betwixt two and three feet 

 across, formed of sticks, roots, and leaves. The eggs are 

 two in number, somewhat larger than those of a hen, and 

 in a measure variegated like the plumage of the bird. 

 The Great Owl has sometimes, though very rarely, been 

 seen wild in the mountainous parts of Great Britain. 



The plumage is of a tawny red colour, marked with 

 lines and spots, elegantly varied, of black, brown, ash, 

 and rust colour. The tail is marked with transverse 

 dusky streaks. The legs are of a brick-dust red colour, 

 and generally feathered to the claws, which are large, 

 hooked, and dusky. 



Short-eared Owl In nearly all its habits, this bird has 

 a great resemblance to the last species, It is migratory, 



