THE BARN OWL. 305 



(G. passerinum*\ is by no means uncommon in many parts of the Continent, though it has not yet 

 been met with for certain in the British Islands, 



The sub-family Syrniinae contains only three genera, the Horned Owls (Asio\\ the Wood Owls 

 (Syrnium%), and the Tengraalni's Owl (Nyctala tengmalmi), the latter having been already noticed 

 (p. 297) as possessing the curious difference in the ear-opening on each side of the skull. Of the 

 Horned Owls two species are found in the British Islands, viz., the Short-eared Owl (Asia 

 accij)itrinus\\), and the Long-eared Owl (A. otus^l). The former of these birds is often seen in the 

 daytime, and is said to hunt for its prey on dull days, when it will fly at small birds as well as mice ; 

 and Mr. Low, writing on the birds of the Orkneys, where the Short-eared Owl breeds, says that he 

 has found in the nest the remains of a Moor-fowl (Red Grouse), two Plovers, besides the feet of 

 several others ; and the same writer states that during the breeding season it becomes very impudent, 

 and will even seize and catch up chickens from the doors, and also chase pigeons in open daylight. 

 Although resident in the British Islands, a large migration of the species takes place in autumn, and 

 it is not unfrequently shot by sportsmen in the turnip-fields ; while Bewick mentions the recurrence of 

 twenty-eight individuals being flushed in a turnip-field in November, being probably attracted to the 

 locality by an abundance of food. It may also be occasionally 

 found in marshes near the sea-shore, as occurred once to the 

 writer, who started a Short-eared Owl from the sedgy bank 

 on the west side of Pagham Harbour, in the early part of 

 September. "When winged, it boldly faced its pursuer, erecting 

 the little tufts on its head and fiercely snapping its bill, as 

 is the manner with all Owls in defending themselves. 



Its relation, the Long-eared Owl, is a bird of different 

 habits, and, instead of breeding on the ground as the foregoing 

 species does, it selects a dark wood or clump of firs, appro- 

 priating a deserted Squirrel's " dray," or adapting the nest of ^jjUBfiffi^ 

 another bird to its own requirements. Macgillivray gives the 

 following account of a young specimen which he had in confine- 

 ment: "An individual of this species, which was sent to me in FACE OF THE BARN OWL> 



winter by the Rev. Mr. Adam, having been left at night perched 



on the back of a chair in my drawing-room, tore to tatters six valuable skins of birds from the Rocky 

 Mountains, and an equal number of nearly equally rare specimens from India. A young bird which 

 I kept for some time, on perching, stood at first with the body inclined, afterwards nearly erect, and 

 slept in the latter posture, with its neck rather extended, its feathers drawn close, and its tufts 

 recumbent. When irritated, it raised its plumage, threw its body forward, and uttered a sharp cry, 

 It seized its food with its bill ; if large, transferred it to one of its feet, but if otherwise, retained it 

 in its bill. In flying, it carried a small object in its bill, but a larger in its foot. It could close 

 one eye while the other remained open, and when placed in a strong light, frequently drew the 

 membrane over the lighted eye, while the other remained unsheathed, though for the most part 

 it winked with both simultaneously. The hides contracted unequally, according to the degree of 

 light. When perched at night, it sometimes emitted a clicking noise, like that of a spring, with its 

 bill ; but when provoked, it neither hissed nor snapped, but uttered a shrill, tremulous, plaintive cry, 

 or succession of short notes, erecting its tufts at the same time." 



THE BARN OWL (Strix ** 



This is essentially the friend of man, frequenting villages and homesteads where he is protected, 



and extending his range where civilisation precedes him, being attracted doubtless by the Mice and 



Rats, which are also the accompaniments of civilisation. The number of small mammals which one of 



these birds will devour ought to be his passport to the protecting care of the farmer and agriculturist, 



* Passerine, or Sparrow-like : i.e., of the size of a Sparrow. (- A proper name. * Svpnor, a proper name. 



njKToAds, nocturnal. || Like a Hawk. IT WTOS, long-eared Owl. ** orpi-yf, an Owl. 



tt Fiery ; flame-coloured. 



