108 RAPTORES. NOCTUA. NIGHT-OWL. 



Occasional light of an occasional visitant, though the instances of its 

 capture are more numerous, at least if we judge from those 

 which have been recorded under the name of Strix Passerina. 

 The great resemblance between the two species may, how- 

 ever, in some instances, have been the means of one being 

 confounded with the other ; and I almost suspect BEWICK 

 to have been thus misled, as his description and figure of the 

 Little Owl agree better with TENGMALM'S Owl than with the 

 true N. Passerina. According to TEMMINCK, the present 

 species is rarely found in Europe beyond the 55 of N. Lati- 

 tude ; but in the warmer regions of this quarter of the globe 

 is very common. It inhabits ruins, church towers, and other 



Nest, &c. buildings, as well as the recesses of the forest ; and in such 

 situations it also breeds. Its eggs are from two to four in 

 number, and, like those of the rest of the Strigidae, white, 

 and of a rounded shape. It is a nocturnal species, during 

 the day remaining concealed and at rest ; but as soon as the 

 sun sinks below the horizon, it becomes very active, and its 

 appearance and manners then awaken great interest. Its 

 disposition is wild and fierce, and, according to SPALLAN- 

 ZANI, not capable of being tamed, like the Little-eared or 

 Scops-Owl. It is, however/ frequently taken young, and ap- 

 pears to be easily reared, as I have repeatedly met with these 

 birds for sale in Flanders and France, confined in large 

 wicker cages, where they looked at ease and in good condi- 



Food. tion. Its food consists of mice, shrews, &c. ; also of small 

 birds, which it takes at roost ; and of insects, such as locusts, 

 and beetles. 



PLATE 27. represents a male bird of the natural size, from 



a British specimen. 



Bill much hooked, the sides rather convex, and of a pale 

 yellowish colour. Facial disk not so complete or full 

 as in Noc. Tengmalmi, mostly white ; the shafts of 

 some of the bristly feathers covering the bill black ; the 

 posterior part with the barbules blackish-brown. Fea- 



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