STRIGIDAE 4 I I 



feathered in the race from Northern and Central Asia (0. plumipes 

 or bactriana). Another race (C. glaux), of a more sandy colour, occu- 

 pies North Africa, whence the species ranges to Denmark, the 

 Baltic and the Urals, and through Palestine and Afghanistan to 

 East Siberia and North China. It occurs in England, where 

 liberated specimens breed, but possibly diminish in numbers. C. 

 spilogastra is found in Abyssinia, C. superciliaris in Madagascar, C. 

 brama in India and Baluchistan. The Little Owl is semi-diurnal, 

 and haunts wooded country and orchards ; the flight in the day 

 is undulating and slow with many flaps ; the note is a muffled 

 monosyllabic or disyllabic cry, a noisy bark, a mew, or a wail ; 

 the food consists of rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, snails, 

 and worms. From three to five eggs are deposited on debris in 

 crevices of rocks or masonry, in buildings, hollow trees, or even ant- 

 hills. Of old the European form was the bird of Pallas Athene 

 and the emblem of wisdom, but whether from its grave appearance 

 when quiescent, or sarcastically from its buffoon-like contortions 

 and bowings must remain doubtful ; we may, however, compare the 

 Malagasy name of Scops magicus, " atoroko," which means " I am 

 going to say," and the similarly philosophic look that it can put on. 

 Surnia ulula or funerea, the Hawk-Owl, ranges from Scandi- 

 navia and North Eussia to Kamtschatka or even Alaska, whence a 

 race with a blacker head, and broader, redder bands below, stretches 

 through Arctic America, and visits Britain more commonly 

 than the typical form. This is dark brown above, freely marked 

 with white, and white below, with distinct but narrow brown 

 bars ; the facial disks are very imperfect, the toes are feathered 

 to the claws. The exceptionally compact and firm plumage, the 

 short, acuminate wings, and the long tail conduce to its Hawk-like 

 appearance, heightened still more by the quick flight, the fierce 

 manners, and the shrill Kestrel-like cry. From their native pine- 

 forests a few individuals wander southwards towards winter ; 

 while at home they feed on lemmings and rodents generally, Willow 

 Grouse and other birds, and insects. They sit watching for prey 

 on bare branches or stumps in the sunlight, occasionally dashing 

 after a Jay or the like ; not unfrequently they quarter the ground 

 like a Harrier, and of course hunt at night also. From three to 

 eight eggs are deposited on a few chips in hollow stumps, in boxes 

 set up by the Lapps, or in a relined nest of some other species ; the 

 parents being perfectly fearless in their attacks on an intruder. 



