138 STRJGID^E. 



Having learned the belief of the Mahometans relative to this 

 Owl, it was more difficult to find out exactly that of the Jews, 

 who when questioned by me knew not how to answer, except 

 that the act of pouring out water in the middle of the courtyard 

 is a custom of long standing in order to avert the evil which the 

 Owl is capable of doing ; that is to say, the water is poured out 

 with a view of attracting the Evil Spirit's attention to an object 

 which distracts him, and so hides from him the infant which the 

 Owl in its wickedness wishes to show him." Favier. 



On the Andalucian side of the Straits the White Owl is 

 common and resident, nesting at Gibraltar in the Moorish 

 Castle. 



I must here digress to say a few words in favour of this most 

 useful of birds. Almost exclusively feeding on rats and mice, 

 they deserve every encouragement and support that can be afforded 

 them ; but from being in all countries regarded with superstitious 

 awe and dislike, they are more or less persecuted on that account ; 

 and in England, through the ignorance and stupidity of game- 

 keepers, who fancy that they kill game (i. e. feathered game), they 

 suffer most severely. This excuse is ridiculous ; for the old birds 

 they have not the power to kill, and young pheasants and 

 partridges at the time the Owls are on the feed are safely being 

 brooded by the parent bird. 



Those who wish .to encourage and increase Owls, and have 

 not hollow trees or buildings where they nest, may always gratify 

 their wishes by fixing an empty barrel (about an 18-gallon size) 

 horizontally in the fork of any large tree, cutting a hole in one 

 end large enough for the birds to enter ; but the hoops of the 

 cask should be screwed on, or it will soon fall to pieces. Not 

 only the Barn-Owl, but the Tawny Owl (Syrnium aluco) also will 

 use these barrels or " owl-tubs." The difficulty, however, is to 

 keep out Jackdaws ; but when once the Owls have established 

 themselves, there is no fear of that intrusion. 



In a barrel put up too near another in which was an Owl's 



