ACCIPITRES. 



253 



gesticulations, and hissing sounds. But on the 

 approach of evening all this awkwardness and appa- 

 rent stupidity vanishes ; they become watchful, lively, 

 and animated ; with the eye dilated like a moon, 



THE BARN OWL (Strix Flammed). 



they investigate every corner, gliding to and fro with 

 great activity, lowering and protruding their head 

 in all directions. The small quadrupeds which run 

 abroad in the gloaming are their natural prey; the 

 largest species, such as that " great northern hunter," 

 the Snowy Owl (S. Nyctea), the Eagle Owls of 

 Europe and America (S. Bubo, and S. Virginiana), 

 pounce upon hares, rabbits and squirrels, ducks, 

 grouse, &c. ; while the smaller, but much more 

 useful kinds, wage unceasing and successful war 



