OWLS 



87 



Pigmy Owl. 



The pigmy owl, or sparrow -owl (Glaucidiwm passerinum), 

 ranges over Europe from the Alps as far north as trees can thrive. It 

 occurs around the lower slopes of the hills as well as in the most elevated forests, 

 but does not often venture out into the open. In Germany it is rare, and its nest 

 seldom found. The latter is built in tall trees, especially beeches, often in a 

 deserted hole of the green woodpecker, at a height of about 30 feet from the 

 ground. This species, which is the smallest of the European owls, being under 

 7 inches long, has a small head, with a white and brown face, white-spotted crown 



THE PIGMY OWL. 



and wings, the upper-parts darkish brown fading off into white beneath, the flanks 

 marked by brown streaks, and the tail by white bars. It flies swiftly and grace- 

 fully by day as well as by night ; and lives chiefly on field-mice, small birds, and 

 moths and other large insects which it catches mostly in the twilight. 



Ring-Dove. 



From the owls we pass to the pigeons, of which the wood-pigeon, 

 or ring-dove (Columba pakwmbus), is the largest European represent- 

 ative. By preference it dwells in the pine-forests, where it feeds on the seeds of 

 any species of conifer ; and if these seeds do not afford sufficient food it betakes 



