THE BARN OWL. 



Strix flammea. 



PROMINENT position in popu- 

 lar superstition has been held by 

 this bird from time immemorial ; 

 for the " White/' or, as it is more 

 generally termed, the " Barn/' 

 Owl, is possessed of a peculiar 

 screech, which, being uttered at 

 night, has a particularly weird 

 sound, and was held, in country 

 districts more especially, to be a 

 certain indication of an approach- 

 ing death in the family. This 

 peculiar note has earned for this 

 bird the name of the " Screech 

 Owl." 



Keats mentions this bird 

 thus : 



" St. Agnes' Eve I ah ! bitter chill it was ; 

 The Owl, for all his feathers, was 



acold ; 

 The hare limp'd trembling through the 



And silent was the flock in woolly 

 fold." 



therein pointing to the fact 

 that the Barn Owl remains in 

 England throughout the winter. 



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