EUROPEAN OWLS. 167 



though he occasionally carries off a melodious thrush or 

 piping blackbird. 



The mode in which the falcons strike their prey has 

 been happily described by Massinger, one of our Eliza- 

 bethan dramatists :— 



" Then for an evening flight 

 A tiercel gentle, which I call my masters, 

 As he were sent a message to the moon, 

 In such a place flies, as he seems to say. 

 See me, or see me not ! The partridge springs. 

 He makes his stoop ; but wanting breath is forced 

 To chanceler ; then with such speed, as if 

 He carried lightning in his wings, he strikes 

 The trembling bird, who even in death appears 

 Proud to be made his quarry." 



The European owls are numerous, and some of them 

 are handsome. The largest is the Great Horned Owl, 

 which inhabits the forests of Central and Southern Europe, 

 and ranges as far even as Ireland and the Orkneys, but in 

 France and England is seldom met with. It preys on 

 birds, mice, rats, and moles, and flies also at larger game — 

 at young rabbits, hares, and fawns. A large strong bird 

 is this, with a preternatural air of sagacity, and a thought- 

 fulness of visage which it is impossible to contemplate 

 without feeling impressed. 



There are few European countries without the Tawny, 

 or, as it is more commonly called in England, the Screech 

 Owl ; a large strong bird, with large round luminous eyes, 

 a rapacious beak, and a garb of soft downy feathers, so 

 thick and full that it looks three times its real dimensions ! 

 It is strictly nocturnal in its habits : at dusk it quits its 

 woodland shades, and goes in search of the birds and 



