THE BARN OWL. 57 



pale reddish eggs. When pinioned it will climb up a cage side, 

 like the Parrot, holding on by the bill. This bird is easily tamed 

 when taken from the nest, and frequently trained to pursue 

 small birds, such as Quails, Snipes, and Larks. 



ME. WATERTON is of opinion that a large proportion of those 

 bred in England leave it in the autumn, to join the immense 

 flights of Hawks which are seen to pass periodically over the 

 Mediterranean, towards the African, coast. 



2. THE WHITE OR BARN OWL. 

 Strix Flammea, LINN. Effraire ou Fresaie, BUF. Der Schleiereule, BECH 



Description. This handsome bird is about the size of a 

 Rook, that is, fourteen inches long, of which the tail measures 

 five inches ; the beak is one inch long, and white ; the feet 

 are plumed with short feathers, the root of the foot being 

 two inches high ; the nails are blackish, that on the middle toe 

 being toothed on the inside ; the countenance is enclosed in 

 a heart-shaped veil of white and chestnut coloured feathers ; 

 the iris is dark yellow ; the upper part of the body a reddish 

 ashen grey, which appears mottled, and is covered with lines 

 of small black and white spots like pearls ; the under part of 

 the body is a pale reddish yellow with blackish spots ; the quill 

 and tail feathers are a rusty yellow, with dark ashen grey irre- 

 gular stripes ; the first quill feather is strongly indented on the 

 outside. 



Habitat. In Germany this Owl inhabits the most populous 

 towns and villages, old castles, churches, barns, and similar 

 lurking places. When confined, it must be chained to a perch, 

 or kept in a large cage, as it kills and eats all small birds. 



food. In a wild state it feeds on mice. Wlien confined, it 

 may have mice and small birds given to it. At first it is un- 

 willing to eat, and in the breeding season is very difficult to 

 manage ; at any other time it is only necessary to put mice and 

 birds in the cage, with the certainty that the bird will eat 

 them in the night, if undisturbed. 



Breeding. The nests are to be found in crevices of old 

 walls ; the young birds are more easily tamed than the old 

 ones. 



Mode of Taming. As they not only sleep in barns, but go 

 there to catch mice, they may sometimes, and especially in 

 winter, be taken by putting a sack net before the air-holes. 



