420 FAMILY STRIGID^E, OR OWL TRIBE ; BARN OWL. 



381. The greater part of the Owl tribe are thus adapted to 

 the pursuit of their prey, which consists in the larger species 

 of hares, rabbits, fawns, birds, &c., and in the smaller of mice, 

 rats, moles, small reptiles and the larger insects, either by night, 

 or in the dusky twilight ; and we find this family most abundant 

 in those parts of the globe where the twilight is most prolonged, 

 namely, the cold and temperate regions. Nevertheless, there 

 are some members of it (constituting its aberrant forms), in which 

 the foregoing characters are much less developed, and in which 

 the habits are rather diurnal than nocturnal ; some of these are 

 known by the names of Eagle Owl and Hawk Owl, indicating 

 their resemblance to the Diurnal Birds of Prey. The Typical 

 Owls, whose adaptation to nocturnal habits is most complete, 

 appear scarcely capable of motion during the day ; they remain 

 at rest upon their perch, with their eyes half-shut or completely 

 closed, presenting a great appearance of gravity ; and when 

 attacked, or struck by the appearance of some new object, they 

 do not fly off, but stand more erect, assume grotesque attitudes, 

 and make the most ludicrous gestures. The family may be sub- 

 divided into the three following groups. 1. The Typical Owls, 

 which have a large external ear, and large and complete disks 

 around the eyes. 2. The Horned Owls, in which the conch, or 

 external ear, is smaller, but the disks around the eyes still large ; 

 and in which the head is furnished with two feathery tufts, 

 resembling horns. 3. The Diurnal, or Haick Owls, in which 

 the conch is very small, the facial disks wanting, and the feathery 

 tufts absent. Of the first of these groups, the common Barn 

 Owl is a very characteristic representative ; it is spread through 

 the temperate and warmer regions of Europe, but is not 

 found in the higher latitudes, where it is replaced by other 

 species. It conceals itself by day in deep recesses among 

 ivy-clad ruins, in antique church-towers, in the hollow 

 of old trees, in barn-lofts, and similar places of seclusion ; 

 and at night it sallies forth in search of its prey, which consists 

 of mice, rats, moles, shrews, and large insects. Contrary to the 

 general opinion, this Bird is not unfriendly to the other feathered 

 tribes ; it does not attack them, nor do they seem afraid of it ; 



