OWL. 



brown bands on the breaft inftead of longitudinal fpots ; alfo 

 another variety from Germany, with black irides, and the whole 

 plumage darker than common. M. Frifch too has coloured his 

 bird with dark blue irides : hence we may fuppofe them to be of 

 a different colour, according to the various parts which they in- 

 habit. 



Dr. Forfter * remarks that this bird is called by the natives of 

 Hudfon's Bay, Shipomos-pijh. 



M. de Buffon fays it is rare in France, in comparifon with the Place 



other Owls; frequenting ruined edifices, and the like, rather than Manners. 

 woods, in which laft it is feldom found. It makes it's neft in 

 the holes of rocks, old walls -f, and the like, in the moft retired 

 places, laying five eggs, fpotted with white and a yellowifh colour. 

 It fees very well in the day-time, when it gives chace on the 

 wing to Swallows and other fmall birds, though feldom is 

 able to take them. It has better fuccefs with rats and mice y 

 but cannot fwallow any of them whole, as the other Owls are 

 known to do; but, tearing them into morfels, eats the flefh only. 



I am not quite clear about the NoSfua minor, referred to in the 

 Peterjburgh TranfaSlions, as it is a foot in length, and the fize of 

 the Ulula, or Tawny Owl ; however it is there likened to this : 

 and it is farther mentioned, that the quills are varied with brown 

 and yellowiih; that it has much yellow in the belly, and the 

 chin white. 



" Phil. Tranf. vol. Ixii. 



•J- Scopoli fays it builds in ehimnies in Carniela .*. perhaps it was the attempt 

 to do this, that caufed two of them to come down two different ehimnies in Eng- 

 land, where they were taken, as mentioned by ilfr. Edwards, in his account of 

 this bird. See vol. v. pi. 228. 



Ida. 



TSl 



