42 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



with mottled grey and white ; quills much the 

 same; breast, in one specimen slightly tinged 

 with yellowish huff, in the other pure white; 

 rest of the under parts pure white, with a few 

 hrown specks ; tarsus feathered, white ; toes hare, 

 except a few long dirty white hairs on the upper 

 parts ; claws brown. Yarrell notices the yellowish, 

 or, as he calls it, fawn-coloured, tint on the breast 

 of some specimens, which, he says, on dissection 

 generally prove to be females or young males. 



The eggs of this species, which much resemble 

 those of the two last, are quite white ; length about 

 an inch and a half, and breadth about a quarter of 

 an inch less. 



BROWN or TAWNY OWL, Syrnium stridula. A more 

 common species in these parts than the last, though, 

 owing to its duller colouring and more retired habits, 

 not so frequently seen. It is resident with us, and 

 chiefly inhabits thick woods and plantations of ever- 

 greens. 



The food of this species embraces a greater variety 

 than that of the Barn Owl, as besides mice its 

 dietary-table includes moles, frogs, beetles and other 

 large insects; occasionally also young hares and 

 rabbits. Yarrell adds fish to the list of food, saying 

 that this bird is able to catch either those that swim 

 near the surface in deep water, or such as are found 

 in the shallowest parts of small streams. One I kept 

 tame showed also, at a very tender age, a decided 



