THE OWL. 



OWLS may be divided into two classes ; viz. 

 those with, and those without tufts of fea- 

 thers growing up from the head, like ears, or 

 horns. In the former class, the Great Horned 

 Owl is most conspicuous : it is the largest of 

 the genus, being nearly equal in size to an ea- 

 gle : it builds in rocks, or mountains, and feeds 

 on young hares, rabbits, and even pheasants 

 and grouse. 



The Long-eared Owl is about fourteen inches 

 in length : its plumage is marked with various 

 shades of brown, yellow, and cream colour; 

 the legs and feet are covered with feathers. It 

 inhabits ruined buildings and hollow trees. 



The Short-eared Owl is nearly of the same 

 size as the bird we have just noticed : its horns 

 never consist of more than three feathers, while 

 those of the Long-eared Owl are composed of 

 six. The Short-eared Owl flies by day. 



The White Owl, Barn Owl, or Screech Owl, 



(57) 



