150 HORNED, WHITE, AND IVY OWLS. 



specks, black, brown, cinereous, and ferruginous ; the 

 wings are long ; the tail is short, and marked with 

 dusky bars. 



This bird has been occasionally seen in the north of 

 England and in Scotland, inhabits inaccessible rocks 

 and deserted situations, and preys on hares and fea- 

 thered game. 



THE HORNED OWL. 



At first view, this species appears very large ; which is 

 in a great measure owing to the fulness of its plumage. 

 Its horns, which distinguish it from all others, are com- 

 posed of six feathers each, rising about an inch high, va- 

 riegated with yellow and black ; and which it can erect 

 or depress at pleasure. The breast and belly are of a dull 

 yellow, marked with slender brown spots : the back and 

 coverts of the wings are varied with deep brown and 

 yellow. 



This bird usually breeds in caverns, hollow trees, or 

 ruined turrets. It is common in the north of England, 

 in Cheshire, and in Wales. 



THE WHITE OWL. 



This bird, commonly called the barn-owl, is the best 

 known of any. It may be considered as almost domestic, 

 as it inhabits barns and out-buildings the greatest part of 

 the year, and is extremely useful in clearing them of ver- 

 min. At the season of incubation, however, it takes up 

 its residence in the woods. It seldom hoots ; but snores 

 and hisses in a most violent manner, and often screams 

 tremendously. 



THE IVY-OWL. 



This species commonly receives the appellation of the 

 screech-owl, to which superstition has ascribed a power 

 of forboding death or calamity by its cries. The ancients 



