BIRDS. \;5 



All birds of the owl kind have one common mark by which 

 they are distinguished from others ; their eyes are formed for 

 seeing better in the dusk than in the broad glare of sun-shine. 

 As in the eyes of tigers and cats, that are formed for a life of 



in the eared owls, and three in the smooth headed, are indig^cnous ; tha 

 others are but occasional visitants. 



Horned Owls. 



Great-horned or 



Eagle Owl, 

 I.ong-.eared Owl, 

 Short-eared Owl, 

 Little-horned Owl, 



Stn'x Bubo. 

 S. Otus. 

 S. Brachyotos. 

 S. Scops. 



Smooth.iieaoeu Owls. 

 Snowy Owl, Stri.v Kt/ctcii. 



Barn Owl, S. Flamtnen. 



Tawny 0\\\, S. Stridulii. 



I^ittlo Owl, S. Pasierina. 



Great-horned, or Eagle Ow!.— This species, which is equal in size to some 

 of the largest Eagles, is of very rare occurrence in Great Britain ; and, in 

 the few instances on record, the birds can only be regarded as wanderers, or 

 compelled by tempest to cross the Northern Ocean. It preys upon fauns, 

 rabbits, the different species of grous, rats, &c.— It builds amid rocks, or on 

 lofty trees, and lays two or three eggs, larger than those of a hen, round 

 at each end, and of a bluish-white colour. 



According to Temminck, it is common in Russia, Hungary, Germany, 

 and Switzerland. It is also a native of Africa, and the northern parts of the 

 Xew World. 



Long.eared Orvl.—The excellent mixture of colours in this bird, and the 

 imposing appearance of its long tufts or ears, render it one of the most in- 

 teresting of its genus. Though not so numerous as the Barn, or the Tawny 

 Owl, it is found in most of the wooded districts of England and Scotland. 

 Plantations of fir, particularly of the s;)?-«ce kind, are its favourite haunt's, 

 as in these it finds a secure luid sheltered retreat during the day. It also 

 frequently inhabits thick holly or ivy bushes, whose evergreen foliage en- 

 sures a similar retirement. It is an indigenous species, and breeds early in 

 spring ; not making any nest of its own, but taking possession of that of a 

 magpie or crow. The eggs are generally four or five in number, white, and 

 rather larger and rounder than those of the Ring-Do ve. When first excluded, 

 the young birds are covered with a fine and closely set white down; they 

 remain in the nest for more than a month before they are able to fly. If dis- 

 turbed and handled, they hiss violently, strike with their talons, and, at the 

 same time, make a snapping noise with their bills. When they quit the 

 nest, they take up their abode in some adjoining tree, and, for many subse- 

 quent days, may be heard, after sunset, uttering a plaintive but loud call for 

 food ; diiriug which time the parent birds may be seen diligently employed 

 ui hawking for prey. 



Mice and Moles form the principal part of their provender; though 

 Montagu says, that they sometimes take small birds on the roost. 



It is pretty generally diffused throughout Europe ; and in North America 

 is found to inhabit the woods at a distance from the sea. It has been ob- 

 served as far northward as Hudson's Bay. 



Short-eared Owl. — The birds of this species are only to be mot with in 



