422 HORNED OWLS ; HAWK OWL. 



excavations for itself. This is a small Bird; its length not 

 exceeding ten inches. The habit is not altogether peculiar to 





FIG. 222. THE GREAT OWL. 



this species ; for even the Barn Owl occasionally takes up 

 its abode in the burrows of rabbits. Numerous other 

 species of Horned Owls are found in different parts of the 

 globe. 



383. Of the last subdivision of this family, the Hawk-Owl 

 of the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America, may be 

 regarded as the type. This is the most diurnal of all the Owls 

 in its habits ; pursuing Birds with great boldness in daylight ; 

 and sometimes even snatching game that has been shot by the 

 fowler. It has, indeed, some of the characters of the Hawk ; 

 resembling that species in the smallness of the head, the narrow 

 feet, and the prolonged tail ; but still the conformation of its 

 feet, and the feathering around its eyes and bill, bring it decidedly 



