A curious anecdote is related of this owl, by a gentleman 

 who resides in Yorkshire and who is well acquainted with 

 OrnitholoiTN . Having observed the scales ot fishes in the 

 nest of a pair, which had built near a lake, upon his pre- 

 mises, he was induced one moonlight night to watch their 

 motions ; when he was agreeably surprized to see one of 

 them plunge into the water, and seize a perch, which it 

 bore to its nest, whence the gentleman took it. 



7. PASSERINA. LITTLE OWL. 



8. Subolivacco-fusca albido maculata, subtus albida 

 fusco metadata, remiaibus albo-fascialis, iridi- 

 busjlavis, Shaw. 



The bill is dusky, at the tip yellow ; irides pale 

 yellow, the upper parts olive brown ; the crown and 

 wing coverts are spotted with white ; the breast and 

 belly are white, spotted with brown ; the tail feathers 

 are rust colour and brown, tipped with white ; the 

 claws are brown. 



Length 8 inches. 



It flies partially by day, and often catches birds 

 which it plucks (contrary to the practice of other 

 owls) before it eats them. 



The female lays 5 or 6 eggs, spotted with white 

 and yellow. 



