OWLS. 183 



Ptarmagans are a favourite food of these birds, 

 and are well aware of their danger. Their mode of 

 escape is, on perceiving the Owl about to pounce 

 upon them, to dive instantly into the loose snow, 

 and make their way beneath it to a considerable 

 distance * . 



Our well-known White Owl, is a very different 

 bird in its habits : so far from wandering far from 

 the abodes of man, it is always near or about our 

 dwellings; the constant frequenter of our barns and 

 out-houses, and one of the farmer's best friends ; for 

 to it we are indebted for the destruction of the 

 shrew-mice, a species which, but for the good 

 service of our Barn-Owls, might prove a great an- 

 noyance to our gardens and fields, since, owing to a 

 peculiar flavour or smell, neither cat nor dog will 

 eat them. On the approach of twilight, they sally 

 forth from their roosting -places, and hunt the 

 meadows and hedge-banks with the regularity of a 

 pointer-dog; every now and then, they may be seen 

 to drop suddenly down, with great rapidity, and un- 

 erring aim, on their game, which is seized on and 

 swallowed at once, without any attempt to tear it in 

 pieces with its claws. If, however, they have young 

 ones, they carry off the prize in their claws ; and 

 here a curious piece of address is practised. It is 

 evident, as long as the mouse is retained by the 

 claw, the old bird cannot avail itself of its feet, in 

 its ascent under the tiles, or approach to their holes; 

 consequently, before it attempts this, it perches on 

 the nearest part of the roof, and there removing the 

 mouse from its claws to its bill, continues its flight 

 * King's Narrative, Vol. i., p. 126. 



