18 BIRDS OF MIDDLESEX. 



The flight of an Owl, whether by day or night, is 

 so peculiar as to distinguish it at once from every 

 other bird. Shakespeare, who must have been a 

 close observer of nature, has happily characterized 

 it, when he speaks of " the night-owl's lazy flight."* 

 Elsewhere, the same poet truly says that, 



" The Owl, if he arise by day, 

 Is mocked and wondered at ; "t 



for although the Short-eared Owl is, to a certain 

 extent, diurnal in its habits, the contrary is the case 

 with the other members of the family, and it is 

 unusual to see an Owl abroad before twilight. 

 Nevertheless, a few instances of the Barn Owl 

 flying by day have occasionally come under my own 

 observation ; but I have always considered that in 

 every such case, the bird must have been disturbed 

 or frightened, and that the flight was not a voluntary 

 one. It is disputed by some naturalists whether 

 the Barn Owl ever hoots ; but although its usual 

 note is a screech, I think there can be little doubt 

 that it also hoots occasionally ; and good evidence of 

 this fact will be found in ' The Zoologist ' for Octo- 

 ber, 1863, p.- 8765. 



TAWNY OWL, Strix aluco. Eare. An adult male 

 of this species was shot at the Well Springs, Kings- 



* Henry VI., Part m., Act n.. Sc. 1. 

 I Henry VI, Part in., Act v., Sc. 4. 



