I 9 io THE OWLS 



and the presence of only three white bars on the tail. In length it only measures 

 six and one-half inches, so that it is smaller than a robin. Both species feed chiefly 

 upon insects. Writing to Dr. Coues of the Acadian owl, a correspondent observes 

 that, "in the hollow of an oak tree, not far from Germantown, lives an individual 

 of the common chickari squirrel with a specimen of this owl as his sole companion. 

 They occupy the same hole together in perfect harmony and mutual good will. It is 

 not an accidental temporary association, for the bird and the squirrel have repeat- 

 edly been observed to enter the some hole together, as if they had always shared the 

 apartment. But what benefit can either derive from the other? " 



The clear, hooting cry or laughter-like scream of the common Eng- 

 lish tawny or wood owl is probably familiar to most residents in wooded 

 districts. The genus of which this owl is the best-known representative includes 

 comparatively-large species, distinguished from Nyctala by the ears and their tubes 

 being symmetrical, while the toes may be either feathered or bare. All of the spe- 

 cies frequent woods and groves, where hollow trees are abundant, and the whole of 

 them are strictly nocturnal in their habits. Their flight is soft and noiseless, and 

 their food, in addition to small birds and mammals, may include frogs and fish. 

 They breed early, and while some of the species select woods as their nesting places, 

 others prefer old buildings. Nearly thirty members of the genus are recognized, 

 whose range embraces the whole world, with the exception of Madagascar, certain 

 of the Malay islands, Australia, and Oceania. 



Q . The tawny brown, or wood owl, as it is indifferently called (Syrnium 

 aluco"), belongs to an extensive group of the genus, characterized by 

 the crown of the head being either barred or mottled, and the completely feathered 

 toes. It is by no means one of the largest representatives of the genus, its total 

 length being about fifteen inches. The color of the face disc is grayish white, 

 margined with brown; the crown of the head, neck, back, and wings is a mixture 

 of ashy gray mottled with shades of brown; the primary quills are barred with dull 

 white and brown, and the tail feathers, with the exception of the middle pair, are 

 also barred with the latter color. On the under parts the ground color is grayish 

 white, upon which there are longitudinal streaks and mottlings of brown, without 

 any trace of transverse bars. The tawny owl is still common in Britain, although 

 rare in Scotland, most English woods having a pair of these birds. From Britain 

 their range extends over Europe as far as 67 north latitude, and eastward to the 

 Urals; while it also embraces North Africa, Syria, and Turkestan. This owl is 

 essentially nocturnal, seldom stirring from its sylvan resting place during the day- 

 time, and if driven forth being more completely dazed than any other British spe- 

 cies. It is this species which is generally mobbed by a crowd of small birds, such 

 as tits, finches, and warblers, when seen abroad by day. Oak and beech woods, 

 where hollow trunks are numerous, are the favorite haunts of the tawny owl; 

 although occasionally the choice falls on ruins or towers. In addition to voles, 

 shrews, rats, and mice, its food includes an occasional young hare or rabbit, and 

 sometimes frogs, fish, and beetles. It is an early breeder, laying its three or four 

 eggs in March, or even earlier. These are usually deposited in a hollow tree, but 

 sometimes in ruins or old chimneys, or even in a deserted rabbit hole, or on the 



