THE GYRFALCON 53 



Circinae of Raptorial birds, is remarkable for the peculiar feathered 

 disc round the eyes, somewhat resembling that of owls. It lives 

 principally about forests and heaths. Its food consists of hares, 

 rabbits, feathered game, especially grouse, pigeons, birds, and 

 reptiles. 



The GYRFALCON (Falco gyrfalco) feeding, chiefly en ptarmigans, 

 hares, and water-fowl, has been shot in the British Islands. The 

 PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) chiefly inhabits wild districts, 

 and nestles among rocks. It preys on grouse, partridges, ptar- 

 migans, pigeons, rabbits, etc. The MERLIN (Falco cesalori) a beauti- 

 ful and remarkably swift and spirited little falcon, about I ft. 

 long and weighing about 6 oz. , frequents moors, and constructs its 

 nest in rocky places or in a bush, even heather. The eggs, four in 

 number, are reddish, mottled brown. It feeds chiefly upon small 

 birds, and young game birds fall a prey to it. The GOSHAWK 

 (Falco palumbarius) is rare in Britain, and feeds upon hares, 

 squirrels, pheasants and other large birds. The KITE (Milvus 

 regalis) and the BUZZARD (Buteo vulgaris) are too rare to call for 

 special remark in this connection. Indeed, all the species enumer- 

 ated in this paragraph are so detested for their havoc in the 

 poultry yard and amongst game as to receive no quarter from the 

 poultry rearer and game preserver, hence rare in the British Islands. 



The LONG-EARED OWL (Asio asus or Otus vulgaris), belonging to 

 the Otinae or Owlets, possesses nearly complete feathered discs 

 around the eyes, and two small feathered tufts on the upper part 

 of the head. It resides in hollow trees in parks, woods, and fields. 

 Sallying forth at night it, mostly at dusk or dawn, preys on young 

 hares, and rabbits, young game-birds and chickens, rats, mice, 

 moles and small birds. 



The TAWNY or BROWN OWL (Syrium aluco or Uluda stridula) 

 represents the Hooting Owls, without tufts, and inhabits hollow 

 trees in parks, woods and fields, or old buildings. Nocturnal 

 in habits and hooting, this bird is regarded by some persons with 

 superstitious dread. Its colour is ashen-grey variegated with brown 

 on the upper parts, and whitish-grey with various tints of brown 

 on the under-parts, while the facial discs are nearly white, adding 

 to the awe inspired. It nests in holes of trees, and in general it 

 frequents well- wooded districts and the depths of woods and forests. 

 It is a very bold bird, especially when it has young, and has been 

 known to kill and devour young magpies in spite of the resistance 

 of the old birds. Its food is very varied, young hares and rabbits, 

 birds, mice, insects, and even fish forming part of its dietary. 



The CARRION CROW (Corvus corone) is very similar to the raven 

 (Corvus corax) which is practically extinct in Britain- in appear- 

 ance and habits, though it is much smaller, its length being about 

 18 in. The plumage is glossy blue-black, with some greenish 

 reflections ; the female is similar to the male, but rather smaller. 



