KIND. EAGLE-OWL. 149 



This is by far the most elegant, but the most pernicious, 

 of British hawks. It builds its nest in high rocks, large 

 ruinous buildings, and hollow trees : whence it issues to 

 make dreadful havoc among pigeons and partridges. 



It appears that the sparrow-hawk was held in great 

 veneration among the ancient Egyptians ; and their god 

 Osiris was represented under this form. 



THE OWL KIND. 



This whole family may be considered as robbers who 

 take advantage of the darkness to execute their schemes 

 of plunder. They are distinguished from all other birds 

 by the quality of more perfect vision in the night than in 

 the day : dazzled by too refulgent a light, they require a 

 portion of obscurity to assist them in their depredations. 

 They seldom, therefore, come abroad till about the close 

 of day, at which time they are seen skimming up and down 

 the hedges in pursuit of their prey* The note is hideous 

 in a high degree * and, being frequently heard in the 

 silence of the night, disturbs the general tranquillity with 

 a horrid interruption. Indeed the prejudices of mankind 

 co-operate with their sensations to make the cry of the 

 owl disgusting; for, among the lower class of country- 

 people, the note of one species at least has always been 

 considered as the presage of some calamity. 



But, though owls are by no means favourites, and are 

 for the most part either ridiculed or disliked, they are 

 not without utility. The barn-owl, in particular, is of in- 

 finite service in destroying mice ; and, as it preys only on 

 what is inimical to human industry, it may be reckoned 

 among the benefactors of mankind. There are about 

 twelve species in all. 



THE EAGLE-OWL. 



This species almost equals the eagle in size. The head 

 and whole body are finely varied with lines, spots, and 

 H 3 



