OWLS. 289 



appearance; but it had no power to hurt even a child. 

 The toes are toothed inside, to enable it to catch moths, 

 cock-chafers, &c., as it seizes prey, like owls, with its feet. 

 If the winter nights are fine, and no moon, ivy owls may 

 often be heard in full chorus at the grey of morning, 

 which is sometimes continued till break of day. They 

 take their station upon a few chosen perches, hooting some 

 time upon each, and return night after night to the same 

 places, whether a favourite tree, ruin, or outbuilding of 

 any kind. Five years ago, I had a pair of tame tawny 

 owls that lived in a tool-house in the garden. They hooted 

 every fine spring and winter night. One was so tame 

 that it always flew against my legs when I brought its 

 food at nightfall. Sometimes it was so dark that I could 

 not see it, but only heard a plaintive wail, and then felt a 

 rush at my feet. If I was later than usual it perched on 

 the balcony, uttering its weak cry. When I placed a bit 

 of meat upon the table, it flew into the room, seized the 

 meat, and, flitting into the darkness again, was no more 

 seen that night. Both of these owls were very fond of 

 earth-worms, and devoured great numbers at a time. If 

 given too much liver, they hid the overplus under a bush, 

 or in a box border, but never covered it up like a fox or 

 dog. Both came every evening at dusk to drink at their 

 water dish, which operation was performed after the man- 

 ner of hens. I have seen them continue sipping at intervals 

 tor ten minutes at a time. After a fall of snow in early 

 spring, I watched both rolling upon it, occasionally taking 

 a small peck, which perhaps served instead of water. I 



