OWLS. 27 



nest. This contained four young, which were 

 brought up at the same time with many pigeons. 

 The nests containing the latter were on every 

 side, but the Owls never attempted to molest 

 either the parents or their young. As may be 

 conjectured, the Owl's nest was frequently in- 

 spected during the progress of the young birds ; 

 on the shelf beside them, never less than six, and 

 often fifteen mice and young rats (no birds were 

 ever seen ;) have been observed ; and this was the 

 number they had left after the. night's repast. The 

 parent Owls, when undisturbed, remained all day 

 in the pigeon loft." * 



The food of the Owl is generally swallowed 

 whole; and the bones and hair, and other indi- 

 gestible parts are afterwards rejected through the 

 throat, pressed into hard and dry pellets. In 

 places where a pair of Owls have long been accus- 

 tomed to resort, these castings accumulate in vast 

 heaps. 



Like others of this Family, the "White Owl is 

 remarkable for the harshness of its voice. During 

 flight it will occasionally uttef frightful screams. 

 Mr. Yarrell says that it does not generally hoot ; 

 but Sir William Jardine, who shot one in the act 

 of hooting, asserts, that at night, when not alarm- 

 ed, hooting is its general cry. It also snores and 

 hisses, and when annoyed, snaps its beak loudly. 



The White Owl lays five or six eggs, but not 

 all at once, for she lays after some young are 

 already hatched ; so that young birds, advanced 

 eggs and fresh-laid eggs may be frequently found 

 in -the same nest. The eggs are as large as those 

 of a hen, of a rounded form and pure white. 



* Mag. Zool. and Bot. ii. 178. 



