THE GREAT WHITE OWL. 157 



bird can move at pleasure, are about an inch in length, the 

 feathers well defined, varying in number, but generally six 

 or eight, sometimes ten, and black toward the shafts, with 

 the margins grey and white. 



The long-horned owl generally takes possession of the 

 deserted nest of some other bird, such as one of the crow 

 tribe, which nestle earlier, and thus have their broods out of 

 the nest by the time that the owl lays. The eggs are seldom, 

 if ever, more than six ; white, and rather round in shape. 

 The young are covered with very close white down ; and as 

 they have much plumage to acquire, they remain four weeks 

 in the nest, the parents feeding them largely, and with much 

 assiduity all the time. They even feed them longer ; for the 

 young birds " branch" for some time before they take wing 

 and hunt for themselves ; so that when they have disap- 

 peared from the nest, they may for a time be detected in the 

 twilight, moaning for their food from some neighbouring tree. 

 They very early show fight, by hissing and snapping with 

 their beaks ; and the old ones, if wounded, do the same, 

 throwing themselves on their backs, and fighting determinedly 

 with their claws. 



The old ones are usually still during the day, or if necessity 

 force them to hunt, it is in the depth of the shade ; but 

 they are active in the twilight, being voracious feeders, and 

 though they prefer mice, they also prey on small birds', 

 which they are said to clutch on their perches. The prey is 

 taken with the talons, but the beak is used in breaking the 

 bones, the only preparation which owls of any species are 

 understood to give their food previous to swallowing it : that 

 may be one of the reasons why mice are preferred to birds, 

 the feathers being more untractable than the fur, both in 

 swallowing, and in casting in pellets or quids. 



