THE LITTLE OWL. 29 



sparrows to the. house-top, and even attacks birds in their cages ; it i* 

 nevertheless contented with cockchafers, beetles, and grasshoppers. 



In confinement it is fed on birds, mice, and a little raw meat ; when 

 given only the fresh offal of pigeons, or the lights and livers of sheep, 

 it becomes so tame, that even if taken when old it never appears to regret 

 the loss of its freedom. 



BREEDING. The kestril falcon builds its nest in the fissures of rooks, 

 bigh towers, old castles, or some aged tree. It lays from four to six eggs 

 of a reddish yellow colour, spotted with red and brown. The young ones, 

 which are at first covered with a simple white down, may be easily reared 

 on fresh mutton. 



MODE OF TAKING. Lime twigs placed over the nest will easily secure 

 the old ones when they come to feed their young; or a bird of prey's 

 basket, with a lark or mouse put in it as a lure, may be placed where 

 these birds are most frequently seen. This machine is raised on foui 

 stakes, and somewhat resembles a common safe, having a lower shelf as 

 large as a moderate sized table, with four upright posts, to which are 

 fastened the partitions of net or wire ; on the top and sides are fixed two 

 iron rods ; on these, by means of rings, there runs a net which covers 

 the whole. 



ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES Its fine plumage, its sonorous notes kle, kle, 

 which it sometimes repeats in continued succession, and its amusing 

 actions, must make it a favourite with most amateurs ; it cannot, indeed, 

 like other species of falcon, be trained to the chase ; but if taken when 

 very young, and fed with the food before mentioned, it may be taught to 

 fly to some distance and then return, even in the midst of the largett 

 cities. 



THE LITTLE OWL. 



Strix passerina, LINNUS : La Cheveche, ou Petite Chouette, BCFFON ; Die 

 Zwergeule, BECHSTEIN. 



THE feathers of this bird make it appear larger than it really 

 is. Its length is from eight to nine inches, of which the tail 

 measures at least three ; the folded wings almost reach the 

 extremity ; the beak is ten lines in length, brown at the base, 

 and yellow at the point; the iris is yellow hi summer, and 

 meadow green in winter ; the claws blackish ; the upper part 

 of the body is light brown, with round white spots, which are 

 largest on the back and shoulders; the lower part is white, 

 spotted with dark brown and a little orange ; the quill feathers 

 3ark brown, with white spots ; the tail lighter, with red spots. 



