422 HORNED OWLS; HAWK OWL. 



or less closely resembling the Barn Owl, are found in different 

 parts of the temperate regions of the globe. 



382. It is among the Horned Owls that we find the largest 

 Birds of this family. The Great or Eagle Owl (Fig. 222) is but 

 little inferior in size to the Golden Eagle ; and is very destruc- 

 tive to young roes and fawns, hares, rabbits, rats, moles, reptiles, 

 partridges, grouse, and other game. It is chiefly found in the 

 mountainous parts of Central Europe ; but it has been occasion- 

 ally seen in Britain. It frequents deep forest glens ; and makes 

 its nest in the fissures of rocks, in ruined castles, and similar 

 places. A nearly allied species of almost equal size, the Virginian 

 Horned Owl, is found in the southern states of the American 

 Union, and a small species is an inhabitant of the south of Europe. 

 Of thl Eared Owls also there are several species, and some of 

 these hunt in the most daring manner in broad daylight. 



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 de- 

 cidedly within the Owl family. In the character of its plumage, 

 also, it bears a resemblance to the Diurnal Birds of Prey ; and, 

 like them, it dashes boldly on its victim, and seizes it on the 

 wing, instead of stealing noiselessly upon it. In summer it feeds 

 principally on mice and insects ; but in the snow-clad regions 

 which it frequents in winter, neither of these are to be procured, 

 and it then preys mostly on Ptarmigan, the flocks of which are 

 followed by it, in their spring migrations to the northward. 

 Nearly allied to this species, which is about fifteen inches in 

 length, are several others ; which inhabit different portions of 

 the globe, and present slight variations in structure and habit. 

 One of these is the Great Snowy Owl, which nearly equals the 

 Eagle Owl in size, and is found in the high northern latitudes 



