;)0 THE LITTLE OWL. 



which may ahnost be taken for transverse bands. The coloiirs 

 are less brilliant in the female. 



Habitation. — In its wild state this smaA species of owl frequents old 

 buildings, towers, and church walls, where its nest is also found *. 



Tn the house it must always be kept in a cage, which may be hung in 

 the window, for if permitted to mix with the other birds it would kill 

 them. 



Food When wild its general food is mice and large insects ; 1 have 



also found in the indigested remains which this, like other birds of prey, 

 discharges from its stomach, a considerable quantity of the fruit of the red 

 cornel tree (Cornus sanguinea, Linnaus). This proves that it also feeds 

 on berries. 



In the cage it may be kept for some time in good health, without having 

 its excrements tainted, if fed on dried mutton : the skin, fat, and bones 

 must be removed, and the meat left to soak in water for two days before 

 it is eaten. Three quarters of an ounce a day of this meat dried will be 

 sufficient, particularly if now and then some mice or birds be given it, 

 ■R-hich it swallows, feathers and all ; it can devour as many as five mice 

 at a meal. It begins to wake up at about two in the afternoon, and then 

 becomes very lively, and soon wants its food. 



Breeding The female lays two white eggs, which the male takes his 



turn to sit upon ; the young ones may bo very easily reared on fresh meat, 

 particularly on pigeons. Before the first moulting the head is of a soft 

 reddish grey clouded with white. The large round spots on the back 

 become gradually more marked, and the reddish white of the under part 

 by degrees acquires long streaks of brown on the breast and sides. 



Diseases. — If great care be not taken sometimes to give it mice or birde, 

 the fur and feathers of which cleanse the stomach, it will soon die of 

 decline. 



Mode of Taking. — When the place of its retreat during the day is 

 discovered, it cannot fail to be taken if a net in the form of a bag or sack 

 be placed over the mouth of the hole, for the bird will by this means 

 entrap itself when endeavouring to come out for the evening. 



Attractive Qualities This bird, which is very cleanly, always 



deposits its dung in one particular spot. Its singular motions are amusing, 

 but its harsh cry, and restlessness, particularly during tlie season of copu- 

 lation, are rather disagreeable. It is much used on the continent as a 

 decoy, to entrap small birds. 



* It is rare in Britain.— TuanslatoH. 



