t>54 WHITE OR BARN OWL. 



district where buildings of this description are not 

 frequent, some thick pine or evergreen, or one of 

 those varieties of the oak which retain their 

 withered leaves thickly during winter, serve as a 

 retreat by day, the bird generally perched quite 

 upright, and often close to the bole or trunk of 

 the tree ; and where it is frequent, a walk through 

 the wood or plantations, and a careful inspection 

 of the evergreens, will commonly discover one, 

 the pure white plumage of the breast being con- 

 spicuous, and shining even through the thickest 

 foliage. When they are thus found, they are 

 easily approached very close, and we saw an 

 instance where a spruce tree was climbed till 

 within a few feet of the drowsy bird, which was 

 only fairly roused when an attempt was made to 

 gripe at the legs. When discovered in a chimney, 

 they do not attempt to escape upwards, but turn 

 on their backs and snap and hiss, their common 

 manner of defence where escape seems unattain- 

 able. Neither when roused from such retreats do 

 they seem so wary as our other species, always 

 permitting an approach within ten or twelve yards. 

 But in such situations, or in woods, we have never 

 seen the nest, though a hollow tree may be occasion- 

 ally selected, as mentioned by Temminck. From 

 these retreats a sally is made each evening generally 

 between sunset and dusk ; the open glades of the 

 woods are hunted, the meadows and grass fields, in 

 a low and sailing flight. Meadows are a favourite 



