Tawny Owl. RAPTORES. ULULA. 103 



As no doubt appears to be entertained now by ornitholo- 

 gists respecting the identity of the Brown and Tawny Owl, 

 and it being satisfactorily ascertained that the difference in the 

 colour of the plumage is merely sexual, I have brought their 

 synonyms together. Next to the White or Barn Owl, it is 

 the most abundant of the British species, and is, like the 

 former, generally dispersed throughout the kingdom ; but 

 is most readily to be met with in well wooded districts, as it 

 takes up its abode in woods and thick plantations, preferring 

 those which abound in firs and holly, or ivy bushes. In such 

 situations it remains concealed till night-fall, as it is very 

 impatient of the glare of day, and sees, indeed, imperfectly 

 during that time. 



It builds in the cavities of old trees, or will occupy the Nest, &c. 

 deserted nest of a crow, and produces four or five white eggs, 

 of an elliptical shape. 



The young, on their exclusion, are covered with a greyish 

 down, and are easily tamed, when fed by the hand ; but 

 Montagu observes, that if placed out of doors, within hear- 

 ing of their parents, they retain their native shyness, as the 

 old birds visit them at night and supply them with abun- 

 dance of food. They prey upon rats, mice, moles, rabbits. Food, 

 and young leverets, and are sometimes destructive to pigeons, 

 enterino; the dovecots, and committing; g-reat havoc* 



At night this species is very clamorous, and is easily to 

 be known from the others by its hooting, in the utterance of 

 which sounds its throat is largely inflated. 



Plate 25. Natural size. 



Bill yellowish- white. Irides bluish-black. Facial feathers General 

 white, tinged and barred more or less with brown. The ^.j^j,^ ^' 

 circle of small feathers surrounding the face white, spot- 

 ted with yellowish-brown and black. Upper parts of the 



* It is also ascertained that they sometimes prey upon fish. See Ob- 

 servations by the Rev. Mr Bree of AUesly, in " IjOudon's Magazine of 

 Nat. History." 



