;,8 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



snipes breed ; and multitudes of widgeons and teals in hard weather 

 frequent our lakes in the forest. 



Having some acquaintance with a tame brown owl, I find that 

 it casts up the fur of mice, and the feathers of birds in pellets, after 



THE COMMON CROSSBILL. 



the manner of hawks; when full, like a dog, it hides what it 

 cannot eat. 



The young of the barn-owl are not easily raised, as they want a 

 constant supply of fresh mice ; whereas the young of the brown 



MILLER'S THUMB, OR BULL'S HEAD 



owl will eat indiscriminately all that is brought ; snails, rats, kittens, 

 puppies, magpies, and any kind of carrion or offal. 



