THE GREAT HORNED OWL. 49 
dove-cot ; since that took place, it has produced a great abundance every 
year, though the Barn Owl frequents it, and is encouraged all round it; ” 
and he affirms that the pigeons neither regard it “as a bad nor suspicious 
character.” 
Mr. Thompson (“Mag. Zodl. and Botan., Vol. IL, p. 178”) observes 
that “the White (barn) Owl is a well-known visitor to the dove-cot ; and, in 
such a place, or rather a loft appropriated to pigeons, in the town of Bel- 
fast, I am informed, by an observant friend, that a pair once had their nest ; 
this contained four young, which were brought up at the same time with 
many pigeons. The nests containing the latter were on, every side, but the 
owls never attempted to molest either the parents or their young. As may 
be conjectured, the owl’s nest was frequently inspected during the progress 
of the young birds. On the shelf beside them never less than six, and often 
fifteen mice and young rats (no birds were ever seen) have been observed, 
and this was the number they had left after the night’s repast. The parent 
owls, when undisturbed, remained all day in the pigeon-loft.” In further 
proof, it may be urged, that the remains of rats, mice, and occasionally 
beetles, have been found, to the exclusion of feathers, in the stomachs of 
most owls when examined. Such remains were found in the stomachs of 
all those opened by Mr. Thompson, and of such are the pellets cast by the 
owls invariably composed. * 
The Barn Owl quarters the ground for food with great regularity, and 
drops upon it with unerring aim. Selby says it occasionally utters loud 
screams during its flight; and Mr. Yarrell says it screeches, but does not 
generally hoot. But Sir William Jardine asserts, that he shot one in the 
act of hooting, and that at night, when not alarmed, hooting is its general 
cry. It snores and hisses, and, when annoyed, snaps its bill loudly. 
The Barn Owl constructs a rude nest; the eges are three or four in num- 
ber, and of a white color. The female often lays a second time before the 
young are able to leave the nest; hence young owls have been found late in 
the autumn, and even in December. 
Of the Surnine, the genera Nyctea (of which the Snowy Owl (Nyctea 
nivea) isan example), Scops (of which the Little Red or Mottled Owl is 
well known), and 4ubo (in which oceurs the Great Horned Owl (Bubo Vir- 
ginianus) of America), and Athene (the Burrowing Owl), all furnish 
examples. 
Wilson describes the habits of the Great Horned Owl (one of the most 
interesting of this group) as follows : — 
* The owl and all the hawk tribe cast up the indigestible parts of their prey, as bones, 
feathers, hair, claws, &c., in the form of pellets; and in the long-tenanted haunt of an owl, 
these are found greatly accumulated. 
