19 



bright yellow ; the plumage is rusty brown, finely 

 variegated with black and yellow lines and spots ; it 

 has two tufts on the head ; the belly and tail are 

 barred with brown ; the legs, are strong and downy, 

 of a rust colour; the claws are dusky. 



This species is rare in Britain, we sometimes, however, 

 in mountainous situations, find its nest formed of sticks 

 and fibrous roots. The female lays two eggs which are 

 mottled. 



Spallanzani found that the gastric juice of the owl and 

 some hawks, is perfectly incapable of digesting vegetable 

 substances, however triturated or masticated ; but that the 

 gastric fluid of the ring-tail eagle, digested bread when 

 forced into the stomach, although the bird would not touch 

 it voluntarily after four days fasting. 



The gastric fluid will not act upon the enamel of the 

 teeth, horn, or the cartilaginous portion of the gizzard of 

 fowls. 



2, OTUS. LONG EARED OWL. 



S. Auriculata ferrugineo-flavescens, nigro griseoque 

 variata, pennis auricularibus nigro-fascialis . 

 Shaw. 



The bill is black ; the irides orange yellow ; the 

 plumage is variegated with white, rusty, and brown ; 

 auricular feathers sir, dark brown ; the breast and 

 neck are yellow, marked with dusky streaks; the belly 

 and vent are cream colour. 



Length 15 inches, weight 9 or lOoz. 



