TJic Avifauna. 87 



generally regarded as nocturnal in their habits, owls, 

 when pressed by the cares of providing for a hungry 

 brood, frequently commence to hunt for prey early 

 in the afternoon. In the summer of 1891 we took 

 three young tawny owls from the nest, and confined 

 them in a box, with the view of discovering what 

 kind of food the parent birds would bring to them. 

 We found that young rabbits, mice, blackbirds, 

 thrushes, chaffinches, yellowhammers, sparrows, and 

 other small birds, were included in their bill of fare. 

 It is dangerous for children to go near a nest con- 

 taining young owls, numerous instances being recorded 

 of the parent birds attacking and lacerating the body of 

 the intruder. While out one evening in the gloaming 

 with the object of shooting a few rats for some pet 

 kestrels, we passed the box where the young owls 

 were confined. After a few defiant threatenings from 

 different trees, the male bird flew to attack us, making 

 straight for the face. When within eight or ten feet, 

 he seemed so resolute in his purpose that we threw 

 the gun hurriedly upwards and backwards with the 

 view of scaring or striking him, and protecting our face 



