32 OWLS. 



snipping off the heads of little animals as delicacies 

 for their offspring and consuming the bodies them- 

 selves. 



I need not describe the Screech Owl. It is just the 

 same bird as from yonder ivy-mantled tower, 



" does to the moon complain 

 Of such as, wandering near her secret bovver, 

 Molest her ancient, solitary reign. 



Specimens from different parts of the world do 

 indeed differ a little, and Jerdon described the Indian 

 bird as a distinct species under the name Strix 

 javanica, but in the Fauna of British India, as I am 

 glad to see, it appears under the name given by 

 Linnaeus to the Barn Owl of Europe, Strix flammea. 

 Our second owl is a very different character. Repu- 

 diating all the austere, exclusive and mystical ways 

 of its race, and encumbered with no superfluous 

 solemnity, the Spotted Owlet (Carine brama} makes 

 itself one of the most familiar objects of Indian life. 

 It does not wait for the darkness of night, but 

 appears before the sun has fairly set, and occasionally 

 gives us a look even in the middle of the day. Who 

 does not know the little Punchinello, its unfailing 

 vivacity, its inimitable drolleries, and the volubility of 

 its eloquence. Often, sitting at the door of my tent at 

 dusk and listening to that torrent of squeak and gibber 

 and chatter, I have wearied myself with surmising 

 what could be the meaning of it all. It seems to be 

 conversational or controversial, for there are always 

 two engaged in it and both speak at once. Perhaps 

 it is a domestic quarrel, but the character of the 

 Spotted Owlet almost forbids that idea. He is truly, 

 in the language of the tombstones, an affectionate 



