68 ZOOLOGY. 



quitting their retreats in the dusk of evening, or by meon* 

 light, at which times they pursue their prey ; others may be 

 often seen abroad during dark and cloudy days, beating the 

 fields and hedges, in search of field mice, and small birds ; 

 and their flight is so extremely silent,that unless they 

 cry, it is only accidentally they are discovered. They 

 mostly build in hollow trees, rocky caverns, lofty towers, 

 ruined buildings, and one species, the common Barn 

 Owl, generally takes up its abode in Barns, and out-build- 

 ings ; they feed on various kinds of small Quadrupeds, 

 Birds, and even Snakes and Lizards. They may sometimes 

 be caught in traps, baited with some living Animal. Nine 

 species are natives of Great Britain, for figures, see British 

 Ornithology, vol. 1, 2, 3. 



This and the preceding genera possess strong nictitating 

 membranes. 



5. Lanius. Shrike or Butcher-bird. Bill hooked, strait 

 at the base, which is strongly beset with bristles ; the 

 upper mandible notched near the tip : tongue fringed 

 at the tip ; toes, three forward, one backward, the 

 outer one connected to the middle toe, as far as the 

 first joint : claws strong and hooked. 



A wild and extremely shy genus, feeding principally on 

 small Birds, and Coleopterous Insects ; they mostly fre- 

 quent woody situations, and are not easily obtained but by 

 the gun. Three species are natives of England, for figures, 

 see British Ornithology^ vol. 2, 



