70 VERTEBRATA. 



Gciiits OTUS : Oliis. — This includes several species, marked by movable ear-tufts. The Long 

 EAHKi) Owl ok EvHovK—Hihon of the Krcii.li ; liihou Moyen Due of Temminck— is fourteen or 

 tiftoeti iiirlics li.tiLT, and feeds on small quadrupeds, as rats, moles, mice, and small birds. Its gen- 

 eral ci)lor above is lii,dit brown, marked with streaks of blackish-brown; beneath, mixed grayish 

 white and pale brown, streake<l with umber. It is common in England, France, and throughout 



uU Europe. 



Tlic American Long-eared Owl, O. Wihonianus, resembles the preceding, and has been re- 

 iiarde.l as the same species, but it is somewhat larger and darker colored, and is doubtless distinct. 

 it is one of the commonest owls of the Northern and Eastern States, breeds in Pennsylvania, and 

 is found as far north as Hudson's liay. 



The SiioRT-EARED OwL, 0. hrdcf/i/olvs, is fourteen inches long, and is distinguished by a small 

 head ; it feeds on small quadrupeds and small birds, and being migratory in England, coming 

 from the north in October, is called the Woodcock Owl, 



The American Short-eared Owl, or Marsh Owl, Strix hrachjotus of Forster, is like the pre- 

 ceding, and has been regarded as the same species ; Cassin thinks, however, that it is larger and 

 darker colored, and that it is probably distinct. It is common throughout Northern America, 

 being migratory in the United States, as is the case with the American Long-eared Owl, coming 

 from the north in November and departing in the spring. 



Oenus STKIX: Strix. — This includes the European Barn-Owl, S.flammea, which may be 

 considered as the type of the genus aS'^Wj:, which embraces the true owls ; it is the Effraie and Petit 

 Chat-lmant Plomhe of the French; Barbagianni, Alloco Commune e Bianco of the Italians; 

 Schlcicrkans, Ferlschleierkautz, and Ferl-Uule oi the Gevmsxns; Barn- Owl, White Owl, Church- 

 Owl, Gillihmvlet, Jloivlet, Mad(je-Hoiolet, Madge-Owl, Hissing- Oivl, and Screech- Owl of the Eng- 

 lish ; and Dylhian Wen of the Welsh. The upper parts are bright yellowish, varied with gray 

 and brown zigzag lines, and sprinkled with a multitude of small whitish dots; face and throat 

 white; lower parts in some individuals rusty white, sprinkled with small brown dots; in others 

 bright white, marked with small brownish points ; in others again without the slightest appear- 

 ance of spots ; feet and toes covered with a very short down, more scanty on the toes ; iris yel- 

 low ; length about thirteen inches. There are varieties, some whitish and some entirely white. 

 It is common in most parts of Europe. 



Montagu says that this species is never known to hoot. Mr. Yarrell states that it screeches, 

 but does not generally hoot. Sir W. Jardine declares that he shot one in the act of hooting, and 

 that at night, when not alarmed, hooting is its general cry. It hisses, and, like other owls when 

 annoyed or frightened, snaps its bill loudly. It was said to snore, but this sound is now regarded 

 as the grumbling of the young ones when hungry. Rats, mice, shrews, young birds, and beetles 

 *brm their food, and the mice especially suflfer when the White Owl has a young brood to sustain. 

 It has been seen to catch fish. It is almost domesticated in Europe, especially in England, inhab- 

 iting even populous towns, and is particularly attached to towers, belfries, the roofs of churches, 

 and other lofty buildings, which afford it a secure retreat. Every one will remember the fine de- 

 scriptive lines of Gray, referring, no doubt, to this species — 



" from yonder ivy-mantled tower, 



Tlie moping owl does to the moon complain 

 Of such as, wandering near her secret bower, 

 Molest her ancient, solitary reign." 



Macgilli\Tay tells ns that the barn-owl chooses for his place of repose some obscure nook in an 

 old building, the steeple of a church, a tower, a dove-cot, or a hollow tree. There he remains 

 from sunrise to sunset, in a nearly erect posture, with retracted neck and closed eyelids, dozing 

 away the hours in which, from the structure of his eyes, he is unable to approach his prey, and 

 waiting for the return of twilight. If approached in this state, instead of flying off", he raises his 

 feathers, hisses like an angry cat, clicks his bill, and thus threatens the intruder. Should he by 

 an accident be driven abroad, he seems dazzled and bewildered. Incapable of distinctly perceiv- 

 ing the objects around him, he flits about with an unsteady flight, and is glad to betake himself to 

 some dark retreat, where he may be sheltered from the light, as well as from his numerous enemies. 



