THE BARN OWL. 139 



The eggs are from three to five in number, of a dull- 

 white colour, and nearly round. 



The young differ greatly in size, which would lead to 

 the supposition that the hen sits upon her eggs as soon 

 as they are laid, and therefore some of the young are 

 hatched from the eggs earlier than others. Being at this 

 time covered with a white down, they present a very in- 

 teresting and pretty appearance. This down adheres to 

 them until they are perfectly fledged. 



The food of the Barn Owl consists chiefly of mice, 

 though young rats are often taken, and even small birds 

 are laid under contribution. The number of mice cap- 

 tured by a pair of Owls is almost incredible, but when 

 they have a nest of young these numbers are necessarily 

 greatly increased; consequently, the Owl is of great use 

 to the farmer in keeping down the numbers of that pro- 

 lific little quadruped. The flight of the Owl is dull and 

 heavy, but particularly noiseless. They feed at night, for 

 then the mice quit their holes ; and Owls may then be 

 seen beating around the hedgerows of meadows or small 

 enclosures in quest of prey. White of Selborne timed a 

 pair, and found that they returned to their nest with prey 

 of some kind about every five minutes. He proceeds to 

 say : " But a piece of address which they show, when 

 they return loaded, should not, I think, be passed over in 

 silence. As they take their prey with their claws, so they 

 carry it in their claws to their nest ; but, as the feet are 

 necessary in their ascent under the tiles, they constantly 

 perch first on the roof of the chancel, and shift the 

 mouse from their claws to their bill, that their feet may 

 be at liberty to take hold of the plate on the wall as 

 they are rising under the eaves." 



