liiiiDS. 97 



totul exclusion of light, yet they are stiftiiiently quiek sighted, 

 at times when we remain in total ohscurity. In the eyes oi' all 

 animals, Nature hath made a complete provision, either to shut 

 out too much light, or to admit a sufficiency, by the contraction 



ruption ; and is of essential service in checking tlic breed of the common 

 and shrew mouse, upon which it subsists. — On the approach of tuiliifht it 

 may frequently be seen issuing- from its retreat to the adjoining- meadows 

 and hedge-banks in search of food, hunting with great regularity, and pre. 

 cipitating itself upon its prey with rapidity and unerring aim. This it 

 swallows whole, and vN-ithont any attemj)t to tear it in pieces with its claws. 

 It breeds in old towers, under the eaves of churches, or in similar quiet 

 places, and sometimes in the hollows of trees, laying from three to five egg?, 

 of a bluish-white colour. The young, wlicn first from the shell, are covered 

 with white down, and are a long time in becoming fully fledged, or in being 

 able to quit the nest. Like the other species of owls, it ejects the hair, 

 bones, and other indigestible parts of its food, in oval pellets, by the mouth. 

 These castings are often found in great quantities in places where these 

 birds have long resorted. In its flight it occasionally utters loud screams, 

 and when perched, hisses and snores considerably. It is an abundant species 

 throughout Europe and Asia, and TEMMiNCKsays it is the same throughout 

 North America. It is easily domesticated, and will become very tame 

 when taken young. Mont.\gu reared a white owl, a sparrow-hawk, and a 

 ring-dove together, who lived in great harmony for six months. They were 

 then set at liberty ; and the owl was the only one of the three that returned. 



Next to the white or barn owl, the Tawny Owl is the most abundant of 

 the British species, and is, like the former, generally dispersed throughout 

 the kingdom ; but is most readily to bo met with in well- wooded districts, 

 as it takes n\> its abode in woods and thick plantations, preferring those 

 which aboiuid in firs and holly, or ivy bushes. In such situations it remains 

 concealed till night-fall, as it is very impatient of the glare of day, and sees, 

 indeed, imperfectly during that time. It builds in the cavities of old trees, 

 or will occupy the deserted nest of a crow, and produces four or five white 

 eggs, of an elliptical shape. 



The young, on their exclusion, are covered with a greyish down, and are 

 easily tamed, when fed by the hand ; but Montagu observes, that if placed 

 out of doors within hearing of their parents, they retain their native shy. 

 ness, as the old birds visit them at night, and supply them with abundance 

 of food. They prey upon rats, mice, moles, rabbits, and yoimg leverets, 

 and are sometimes destructive to pigeons, entering the dovecots, and com. 

 mitting great havock. At night this species is very clamorous, and is easily 

 to be known from the others by its hooting, in the utterance of which sounds 

 its throat is largely inflated. 



Little Owl. — This diminutive species is only an occasional visitant in 

 England, and that but very rarely. According to Temminck, it is never 

 found in Europe beyond the 55th degree of north latitude ; but in the 

 warmer regions of this quarter of the globe it is very common. — It inhabits 

 ruins, church-towers, and similar old buildings, and in such it also breeds. 

 1 he eggs are four or five in number, of a round shape, and white, like those 

 of most of the other species. It is of :\ wild and fierce disposition, and not 

 III. I 



