58 BRITISH BIRDS. 



down to the toes, which are covered with short 

 hairs ; the wings extend beyond the tail, which is 

 short, and marked with alternate bars of dusky and 

 white ; the claws are white. Birds of this kind 

 vary considerably ; of several which we examined, 

 the differences were very conspicuous, the colours 

 being more or less faint according to the age of 

 the bird ; the breast in some was white, without 

 spots in others pale yellow. 



The Yellow Owl is often seen in the most 

 populous towns, frequenting churches, old houses, 

 maltings, and other uninhabited buildings, where 

 it continues during the day, and leaves its haunts in 

 the twilight in quest of prey. It has obtained 

 the name of Screech Owl from its cries, repeated 

 at intervals, and rendered loud and frightful from 

 the stillness of the night. During its repose it 

 makes a blowing noise, somewhat resembling the 

 snoring of a man. It makes no nest, but lays from 

 three to five white eggs, which it deposits in the 

 holes of walls. It feeds on mice and small birds, 

 swallowing them whole, and afterwards emitting 

 the bones, feathers, and other indigestible parts, at 

 its mouth, in the form of small round cakes or 

 pellets, which are often found in the empty build- 

 ings it frequents. 



