COMMON BRITISH BIRDS 33 



OWL, BARN. (R. Owls.) 



Size. Rook. 



Colour. Above light yellowish-buff, with black and 

 white spots and mottlings of silver-grey. Face white. 

 Under parts pure white. 



Note. A shrill screech, not a hoot, like the Brown 

 Owl's note. 



Distinguishing Feature. When flying in the evening, 

 the Barn Owl appears almost white, and has a very 

 quiet, noiseless flight, as it flits over the fields and down 

 the hedgerows looking for mice and other small prey. 



Nest. In hollow tree, barn, or ruin. 



Eggs. White. 



Haunts. Farm buildings, barns, &C. 



OWL, BROWN. (R. Owls.) 



Size. Rook. 



Colour. Above reddish-brown with black streaks 

 and bars, under parts rather lighter. with same markings. 

 No ear -tufts. 



Note. ' Hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo ' heard in the evening. 



Distinguishing Feature. The darker appearance and 

 the ' hooting ' note will distinguish it from the Barn 

 Owl. 



Nest. Usually in hollow tree or old ruin. 



Eggs. White. 



Haunts. Woods. 



PARTRIDGE. (R. Game Bird. Pheasants 

 and Partridges.) 



Size. Pigeon. 



Colour. Above, chiefly brownish-buff witn fine 

 markings of black ; underneath, chestnut and grey with 

 fine markings, a large horseshoe patch of chestnut on 

 breast of male bird, tail-feathers short and chestnut. 



Note. A creaking call-note, heard chiefly in early 

 spring when the birds are pairing. 



Distinguishing Feature. The sombre brown plumage, 



which mingles so well with the clods on a plough-field 



as to make the bird almost indistinguishable. Plump 



appearance. They get up with a whirr, and fly swiftly 



and straight. Towards the end of the summer, when the 



c 



