156 WHITE OWL. 



it is likewise the most common of the Owls; in Scotland it 

 is less numerous, particularly towards the north-west; and in 

 the Orkney Islands still more unfrequent. 



This bird is a perennial resident with us, and if unmolested 

 frequents the same haunts for a succession of years. It displays 

 considerable affection for its young. Mr. Thomas Prater, of 

 Bicester, relates in the 'Zoologist,' that an old ivy-clad tree 

 having been blown down at Chesterton, Oxfordshire, a family 

 of White Owls was dislodged by its fall: the parent bird placed 

 the young ones under the tree, and was not deterred from her 

 maternal duties by the frequent visits of the keeper on his 

 rounds; but one morning as he was turning away from looking 

 at them, flew at him with great fury, and buffeted him about 

 the head. 



As a proof, among the many others which have been, and 

 might be given, of the influence of protection and kindness 

 upon wild birds, I may here mention, my informant being 

 Mr. Charles Muskett, of Norwich, that a pair of this species, 

 which lived in a barn near his father's residence, were so fearless 

 that they would remain there while the men were thrashing, 

 and if a mouse was dislodged by a sheaf being removed, would 

 pounce down upon it before them, without minding their presence. 

 They not very unfrequently become of their own accord half- 

 domesticated, from frequenting the vicinage of man without 

 molestation, where their good services are appreciated, and their 

 presence accordingly encouraged. These birds indeed are very 

 tameable, and will afterwards live in harmony with other birds 

 of various species. Montagu kept one together with a Sparrow- 

 Hawk and a Ringdove; at the end of six months he gave 

 them all their liberty the Owl alone returned the others 

 preferred their native freedom to the acquired habits of 

 domestication. Another which escaped from the place of its 

 captivity, returned in a few days voluntarily to it. The 

 movements of this bird, when they can be closely observed, 

 are very amusing; standing on one leg, it draws the other up 

 into its thick plumage; and if approached, moves its head awry 

 after the 'manner of a Chinese mandarin; or falls flat on its 

 side, like Punch in the puppet-show. To be properly tamed 

 they must be taken young; education, as is the case with the 

 'bipes implume,' is much less difficult then than afterwards. 

 They will come to a whistle, or answer to their name, and 

 settle on the shoulder of whomsoever they may be acquainted 

 with. They take notice of music, and appear to be fond of it. 



