" A most ludicrous expression of simple innocence upon its cat-like countenance." 



THE TAWNY OWL 



HE Tawny, Wood, or Brown 

 Owl, as it is variously 

 called, is fairly common in 

 most well-wooded parts of 

 England, Wales and Scot- 

 land, especially where old 

 trees abound, and game 

 preserving is not carried on 

 too zealously. Curiously enough it is 

 not met with in Ireland. Being a 

 nocturnal species, in possession of a 

 strong, distinctive voice, which it fre- 

 quently uses very liberally, it is much 

 oftener heard than seen. It is partial 

 to ivy-clad ruins, deep dark woods 

 abounding in hollow trees, and districts 

 where old and little frequented stone 

 barns, away from human habitations, 

 afford it diurnal peace and shelter. I 

 have nowhere met with it so numerously 

 as in parts of Cumberland and West- 

 morland. Although it may sometimes 

 be found breeding in clumps of old timber 



growing almost in the centre of small 

 provincial towns, it does not make use 

 of farm-yards and buildings surrounding 

 them to the same extent as its congener 

 the Screech Owl. 



The Tawny Owl appears to be most 

 active in pursuit of its prey at dusk of 

 evening and before dawn in the morning, 

 but may be seen on the wing and heard 

 uttering its characteristic call-notes 

 throughout all hours of the night. I 

 have watched it hunting for food during 

 a winter afternoon, and heard it hoot in 

 broad light of day, both in England and 

 Scotland, but the,se are, of course, 

 exceptional instances. During the day- 

 time it may frequently be seen sitting 

 on the branch of a tree, close to the trunk, 

 in the darkest and densest part of a 

 wood, with its eyes closed or only partly 

 open and a most ludicrous expression 

 of simple innocence upon its cat-like 

 countenance. When discovered sleep- 



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