SCOPS HORNED OWL. c 235' 



by the name of Chvoini. It constructs no nest, 

 but deposits its eggs, to the number of five or six, 

 in the hollows of trees. In Italy the young are 

 full fledged by the beginning of July, when they 

 follow their parents during the night for food, till 

 they are able to feed themselves, and to pursue 

 grasshoppers, beetles, and other insects. When this 

 period commences, they leave their parents, and 

 each lives separately. They remain in Italy till 

 October, at which time they become, especially 

 the old ones, very fat, and if it were not for a pe- 

 culiar and disagreeable smell, would be a delicate 

 food. The first brood of these birds taken by 

 Spallanzani were so young as to be scarcely 

 covered with down, but in about a month were 

 become so far trained as to follow very readily: 

 they fed on any kind of flesh, chopped small, and 

 when hungry, flew after their master, and alighted 

 on his hand, in order to receive their food ; and 

 this not only during the twilight, but even at mid- 

 day. Another broody which was reared beneath 

 a shrub in the garden, which sheltered the young 

 birds from the sun during the day-time, soon be- 

 came equally tame; flying to, and following their 

 master when called; settling on his shoulders to 

 receive their allowance. After their evening meal, 

 they flew about the neighbourhood during the 

 night, perching on the adjoining trees, and return- 

 ing by morning to their habitation in the garden. 

 They continued thus attached for about a month, 

 regularly wandering by night, and returning in 

 the morning. One day however, on missing two 



