ss 



cassell's book of birds. 



larger than her mate. In the adult of both sexes the upper part of the body is dark mouse grey, 

 irregularly spotted with white ; the face is greyish white, the belly whitish, spotted with brown, except 

 at the vent ; the wing and tail-feathers are reddish yellow, spotted with white ; the beak is greyish 

 yellow, the foot yellowish grey, and the eye of a brimstone yellow. The plumage of the young is 

 darker than that of their parents. 



This bird inhabits the central parts of Europe as far as the south of Sweden, and is found 

 throughout almost the whole of Asia. In some of the southern countries of Europe, it is replaced 



the snow owl (Nyctea nivea). 



by the celebrated bird known to the Greeks as " Minerva's Owl " {Athene indigena). Two other 

 varieties are also commonly met with, the one in Spain, the other in Northern Africa. Mountainous 

 districts are avoided by the Stone Owls, who prefer living in the immediate vicinity of man, and 

 often build their nests upon the roofs and steeples of the villages they frequent. The day is 

 usually passed in some quiet nook, such as a tomb, old wall, or similar situation, and at night 

 they sally forth in search of food, striking terror into the heart of many an ignorant peasant, as 

 their harsh, unearthly cry resounds through the silence of the night. To such an extent do some 

 of the peasants in Germany carry their absurd superstition respecting this Owl, as actually to 



