THE BROWN OWL. 87 



Depredations Boldness in defence of the young. 



commit dreadful ravages. They also kill prodi- 

 gious quantities of mice, and skin them with the 

 utmost dexterity. They seize their prey with 

 great ferocity ; and, beginning at the head, tear 

 it in pieces with much violence. They do not, 

 however, devour the whole of their victim; but 

 generally leave the hinder parts untouched. 



The Rev. Mr. Bingley observes, in his inter- 

 esting work on Animal Biography, that on ex- 

 amining a nest of these owls, which contained 

 two young ones, several pieces of young rabbits, 

 leverets, and other small animals, were found. 

 The hen and one of the young ones were taken 

 away ; the other was left to entice the cock, 

 which was absent when the nest was discovered. 

 On the following morning, there were found in 

 the nest no fewer than three young rabbits, that 

 had been brought to this young one by the cock 

 during the night. 



These owls are sometimes bold and even furi- 

 ous in defence of their young; as will appear 

 from the following anecdote related in the thirty- 

 fifth volume of the Gentleman's Magazine. " A 

 carpenter, some years ago, passing through a 

 field near Gloucester, was suddenly attacked by 

 an owl that had a nest in a tree near the path. 

 It flew at his head; and the man struck at it 

 with a tool that he had in his hand, but missed 

 his blow. The enraged bird repeated the attack; 

 and fastening her talons in his face, lacerated 

 him in a most shocking manner." 



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