86 



THE BIRDS OF THE WOODS 



south appears but seldom and then only singly. In central Italy, in the forests of 

 the lower Danube, and in Austria and Hungary, it is still comparatively common. 



,. x „ „ , The so-called 



Little Owl. 



little owl {Car me 

 noctua), the bird of Minerva, 

 chooses its abode on the edge of 

 the forest, in woodlands among 

 fields, in gardens with trees, 

 and in ravines, rocky places, 

 ruins, and buildings, especially 

 wherever there are many hollow 

 fruit-trees and plantations of 

 white willows. It lays its eggs 

 in May, generally in holes or 

 hollow trees, and sometimes be- 

 tween the beams in a roof. 

 During the day it will sit in 

 its hiding-place, and occasionally 

 enjoy the sun ; when frightened, 

 it immediately dies away, softly 

 and lightly, moving with many 

 a curve and undulation, as if 

 uncertain where to go ; while 

 at night its movements are 

 singularly graceful and decided. 

 Beginning in the twilight to 

 hunt for mice, birds up to the 

 size of sparrows, and creeping 

 things generally, including cock- 

 roaches and other insects, it will 

 continue the pursuit on a moon- 

 light night until dawn. Some- 

 times it will sit, as is the habit 

 of the family, on some perch 

 a few feet from the ground, in 

 order to dash quickly down on 

 its prey, and carry it home. It 

 will also fly over the fields, and 

 during the night approach any 

 light there may be in a window, 

 making its presence known by 

 its cry; the cry, together with the circumstance that in the country many of 

 the rooms lighted late at night are sick-rooms, has caused this owl to be regarded 

 by the peasantry of many countries as the messenger of death. The little owl is 

 over 9 inches long ; it has a brown back speckled with white, and is white below 

 with broad, brown stripes, the legs being white and the tail brown with whitish bars. 



THE TAWNY OWL. 



