100 RAPTORES. STRIX. Barn Owl. 



This is the most common of the British species, and is 

 found in every part of the kingdom. It is an inhabitant of 

 ruins, church-towers, barns and other buildings, where it is 

 not liable to continual interruption ; and is of essential service 

 in checking the breed of the several species of mice and 

 shrews, upon which it subsists. 

 Food. Qj^ tj^g approach of twilight it may frequently be seen is- 



suing from its retreat to the adjoining meadows and hedge- 

 banks in search of food, hunting with great regularity, and 

 precipitating itself upon its prey with rapidity and unerring 

 aim. This it swallows whole, and without any attempt lo 

 tear it in pieces with its claws. 

 Nest, &c. J J- jji-eeds in old towers, under the eaves of churches, or in 

 similar quiet places, and sometimes in the hollows of trees, 

 laying from three to five eggs, of a bluish- white colour. The 

 young, when first from the shell, are covered with white 

 down, and are a long time in becoming fully fledged, or in 

 being able to quit the nest. Like the other species of Owls, 

 it ejects the hair, bones, and other indigestible parts of its 

 food, in oval pellets, by the mouth. These castings are of- 

 ten found in great quantities in places where these birds have 

 lonff resorted. 



In its flight it occasionally utters loud screams, and when 

 perched, hisses and snores considerably. 



It is an abundant species throughout Europe and Asia, 

 and Temminck says it is the same throughout North Ame- 

 rica. 



It is easily domesticated, and will become very tame when 

 taken young. Montagu reared a White Owl, a Sparrow- 

 Hawk, and a Ring-Dove together, who lived in great harmo- 

 ny for six n]onths. They were then set at liberty ; and the 

 Owl was the only one of the three that returned. 



Plate 24. A male bird of the natural size. 

 General j^-^^ straw-yellow ; rather long ; and strait as far as the 

 tion. anterior margin of the nostrils. Auditory conch very 



