OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS. 



heard this species of owl hoot, (agreeably with what 

 White observes,) though I have attended to its habits 

 for a very long period. I mention this, because some 

 naturalists have denied the accuracy of White's state- 

 ment on this point. 



White has mentioned a tame brown owl, with 

 which he was acquainted.* A friend of mine has 

 sent me the following particulars respecting a tame 

 white one, which was taken, when young, from a 

 nest in the woods at Dilstone, near Hexham in 

 Northumberland, and given by a lady to her 

 children, who brought it up. Great pains appear 

 to have been taken to domesticate this owl, in 

 consequence of which it became very familiar. 

 In imitation of its own call, it received the name 

 of Keevie, to which it would readily answer when 

 within hearing, following the sound from whatever 

 part of the premises it might happen to be in. Its 

 usual place of repose during the day was under the 

 branches of an old Scotch fir, which grew down a 

 steep inaccessible bank, where it would sit appa- 

 rently asleep, but sufficiently awake to endeavour 

 to attract the notice of any one who passed, by its 

 usual cry of keevie, keevie. If the passenger stop- 

 ped and answered it, it immediately scrambled up 

 the boughs of the fir, till it brought itself to a level 

 with the walk above, in hopes of being fed ; but 

 if he went on again, unheeding its solicitations, it 



* Nat. Hist. ofSelborne, Lett. XI. to Pennant. 



