294 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



light buff and unspotted. Professor Newton (Yarrell's 

 " Birds," 4th ed., Vol. I. p. 198), speaking of a similar variety, 

 described by Mr. Stevenson, which occurred in Norfolk, 

 considers it to be of foreign origin and probably an accidental 

 visitor to this country, and remarks that Danish examples 

 in particular have the facial disks of a dark rusty-red colour. 



Charles Waterton induced the Barn Owl to nest in the 

 old gateway tower at Walton Hall, and in other parts of his 

 park ; a late brood was noticed in November 1828, and on 

 ist December 1823, a half-fledged young one was in a nest 

 in the old ruin on the island. We have it on the authority 

 of Waterton himself that this species will occasionally catch 

 fish, he having observed one in the act of taking perch from 

 the lake (" Essays on Nat. Hist." pp. 270-277). 



Yorkshire folk-lore connected with the Owl family embraces 

 some curious superstitions formerly prevalent in the Cleveland 

 dales, though at the present day these ideas are almost for- 

 gotten and exist only in the memories of the oldest dalespeople. 

 The concoction called " Owl-broth " was at one time used 

 medicinally in cases of palsy, but with what effect it would be 

 impossible now to say. A quaint belief was to the effect that 

 11 Should an Ullot hoot whilst one crosses over a bridge, the 

 moon then being at, or within three days of, full, and he 

 or she be yet not half over the bridge, to such it be truly an 

 ill sign. To break the spell, let such unlatch their shoon, 

 toss baith beyond the brig-foot, so crossing over bare-foot." 

 Another ill-omen was " An Ullot's cry thrice heard after 

 rush-light, soon followed by a ' fire-flaught ' (a hot cinder 

 flying out of the fire), which dies before the one nearest the 

 fire can cast their breath upon it, is a sure sign beyond all 

 doubt the ill one shall die. If there be no ill person at that 

 time, then surely shall one under that thack (thatch) fall 

 suddenly sick, beyond all saving help." 



Nuttall declares that nurses in the northern counties used 

 to believe the Owl was the daughter of Pharaoh, and sang 



' Oh ! o o o o o 



I once was a king's daughter, and sat at my father's knee. 

 But now I'm a poor Hoolet, and hide in a hollow tree.' 



