160 BRITISH BIRDS. 



The hooting of the white owl has been denied by a 

 careful observer, who says, " it does indeed hiss and 

 snore in a tremendous manner." But a contrary state- 

 ment has been given by Sir W. Jardine, who affirms 

 that the white owl does hoot ; that at night, when not 

 alarmed, hooting is their common cry ; and that he has 

 shot several in the very act. 



The owls have a singular mode of defence. A com- 

 mon barn owl, which Mr. Swainson, an eminent natural- 

 ist, endeavoured ineffectually to tame, when under a sus- 

 picion of being handled, would make a loud hissing, like 

 what might be imagined to proceed from a serpent ; it 

 would then throw itself on its back, and begin fighting 

 with its claws : these are such formidable weapons, that 

 they would penetrate the flesh to the depth of an inch. 



The writer well knew a little boy, to whom some ohe 

 gave an owl. To him it was a great novelty, and, as 

 such, afforded him much pleasure. But Madge, as he 

 was called, became troublesome, and was sent, in conse- 

 quence, to make an abode in the cellar. Robert regret- 

 ted his departure, but against it there was no appeal. 

 Though now long past maturity, he probably remembers 

 one of his early adventures. It was night when he was 

 told to fetch something from the cellar, and he proceed- 

 ed thither without delay ; but scarcely had he opened 



