THE AVHITE OR BAEN OWL. 109 



if the covert should be of any f^reat extent. Its food consists chiefly of mice and birds ; 

 and Mr. Yarrell mentions that he has discovered in the stomach of a Short-eared Owl, the 

 remains of a bat and a half-grown rat. 



This bird has a very large geographical range, being found spread over the whole 

 of Europe and in many parts of Asia and Africa. In North America it is a very common 

 bird, and is thought to be also an inhabitant of Chili. Specimens have been brought from 

 the Sandwich Isles, Brazil, and the Straits of jNIagellan. 



In colour it is a pretty bird ; the upper surface of the body, together with the head and 

 neck, are fawn, covered with dark-brown patches, the darker tint being placed on the 

 centre of each feather, and the same round the edges. A few spots of yellow are seen on 

 the wing-coverts, and the ruddy-bro^vn primaries are bound with dark brown and tipped 

 with ashen-grey. Several very decided bars of dark brown cross the tail, and the facial disc 

 is dark towards the eye, becoming lighter towards the circumference and edged with 

 a white line. The feathers of the disc are long, and almost conceal the basal portions of 

 the beak. With the exception of the white skin, the whole of the under surface of the 

 body is light buff, thickly crossed with longitudinal dashes of dark brown upon the breast, 

 and with a few long streaks of the same colour upon the abdomen. The legs and thighs 

 are pale buff, the claw^s and beak are black, and the eyes golden yellow. The length of the 

 bird is about fifteen inches, the female Ijeing longer than the male. 



"In the hollow tree, in the old grey tower 

 The spectral Owl doth dwell; 

 Dull, hated, despised in the sunshine hour, 



But at dusk he's abroad and well ! 

 Not a bird of the forest e'er mates with him, 



All mock him outright by day ; 

 But at night, when the woods grow still and dim, 

 The boldest will shrink away. 



! when the night falls, and roosts the fowl, 

 Then, then is the reign of the Horned Owl. 



And the Owl hath a bride who is fond and bold, 



And loveth the woods' deep gloom ; 

 And with eyes like the shine of the moon-stone cold. 



She awaiteth her ghastly groom : 

 Not a feather she moves, not a carol she sings. 



As she waits in her tree so still, 

 But when her heart heareth his flapping wings. 



She hoots out her welcome shi-ill ! 



Oh ! when the moon shines and dogs do howl. 

 Then, then is the reign of the Horned Owl. 



Mourn not for the Owl, nor his gloomy plight ! 



The Owl hath his share of good. 

 If a prisoner he be in the broad dayUght, 



He is lord in the dark greenwood ! 

 Nor lonely the bkd nor his ghastly mate ; 



They are each unto each a pride ; 

 Thrice fonder, perhaps, since a strange dark fate 

 Hath rent them from all beside ! 



So when the night falls and dogs do howl, 

 Sing Ho ! for the reign of the Horned Owl ! 

 We know not alway 

 Who are kings of day, 

 But the king of the night is the bold brown Owl ! " 



Barry Couxwall. 



The best known cf the British Owls m the White, Barn, or Screech Owl, by either 

 of which appellations the bird is familiarly known over the whole of England. 



This delicately coloured and soft-plumed bird is always found near ]uunan habitations, 

 and is generally in the vicinity of farmyards, where it loves to dwell, not for the sake of 

 devouring the young poultry, but of eating the various mice which make such havoc in the 

 ricks, fields, and barns. The "feathered cat," as this bird has happily been termed, is 



