28 



FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



The food is eaten — bones, feathers, and fur included 

 — and digested throughout the day. The peculiar form- 

 ation of the digestive organs, however, causes the bones, 

 feathers, and fur to be retained ; and these are thrown 

 up;, in the form of a pellet, during the day. These 

 pellets may be found near their home, and the appear- 

 ance of them may be generally held to denote the near 

 presence of a pair of Owls. 



These birds are non-gregarious, seldom more than a 

 pair being found in the same building, unless it be some 

 large ruin or old tower. 



In addition to the screech before alluded to, this 

 Owl will hiss and snore, which may have enhanced the 

 reason of the superstitions with regard tothese birds. 



Barn Owls are often kept in confinement, or with 

 clipped wings, and (except for the nature of their food) 

 make interesting pets. They will, however, at times, 

 necessarily require either fur or feather, so that the 

 digestive organs may be assisted in throwing up the 

 pellet^ X 



