BIRDS OF PREY. 



91 



The SPARROW OWLS (Microptytix), so called from their diminutive size, are by far the 

 most pleasing and elegant group of their family, and are found throughout all parts of the globe, 

 with the exception of Australia; in the southern portions of Asia, America, and Africa, they are 

 particularly numerous. Extensive forests are their favourite resorts, and there they may be seen 

 flying about during the entire day in search of food. 



THE EUROPEAN SPARROW OWL. 



The European Sparrow Owl {Microptynx passerina) is the species we have selected as 

 a type of the above group. Its length does not exceed six inches and a half, and its breadth 

 fifteen and a half; the female is about an inch longer and one inch and a half broader than her 

 mate. The body of this bird is slender, its head small, the beak powerful, and much curved and 

 incised upon the margin of the upper mandible. The wing, in which the third and fourth quills 

 are the longest, is short, the tail of moderate size, the foot short and thickly feathered, the facial disc 

 is but slightly developed. The upper part of the body is mouse grey, spotted with white, the belly 

 white, marked longitudinally with brown, the face of a mottled greyish white, the beak greyish, 

 and the eye bright yellow ; the tail is adorned with four, and the wing with several white lines. 

 The female is of a darker hue than her mate, and has two dark lines under the eyes ; brown 

 predominates in the coloration of the young. 



Although very numerous in the northern parts of Europe, and by no means rare in the central 

 portion, this species is constantly overlooked, by reason of the smallness of its size, and because 

 as it flies by day, and has a cry unlike that of most of its family, ordinary observers do not 

 recognise it to be what it is — a Dwarf Owl ; its habits, therefore, have been but little remarked, 

 and it is seldom met with either in ornithological collections or in aviaries. Those few writers 

 who have been at the trouble of making themselves acquainted with this most interesting bird 

 describe it as being agile, cunning, and active as a Parrot, as it hops about among the branches 

 of trees in pursuit of the insects upon which it mainly subsists ; it also consumes mice and small 

 birds, plucking the latter carefully before devouring them. It is not uncommon to see this lively 

 little Owl hopping about the Scandinavian villages when the snow lies heavy upon its haunts in 

 the forest. It is easily summoned from the trees by those who can imitate its simple call-note 

 and may often by this means be led to a considerable distance. When perched its body appears 

 to be far more slender in proportion to its size than that of other species, and Naumann describes 

 its small broad face as looking more like that of an ape, than presenting the cat-like appearance with 

 which we are all familiar in the generality of Owls. Its flight is rapid and undulating. The e^s are 

 deposited in holes of trees, from the inmost recesses of which the voices of the parents may some- 

 times be heard as they summon each other. The hole is usually lined with a bed of moss and dry 

 leaves, and upon this the eggs are deposited ; these have a thick, smooth, white shell, are oval in 

 shape, and about an inch long. 



The EARED OWLS or UHUS (Bubones) constitute a group distinguished by a tuft of 

 feathers growing behind each ear, and presenting the appearance of a pair of horns. The size of 

 these birds varies considerably, some being very large while others are comparatively diminutive. 

 In all the head is bulky, the wings blunt, the tail short and nearly straight at its extremity, the 

 feet of moderate size and covered with feathers. The plumage, which is thick and lax, is com- 

 posed of broad feathers. The beak is thick and slightly curved, the claws very long and much 

 hooked ; the eye is large, flat, and of a bright yellow ; the tufts behind the ears of no great 

 size, and the feathers upon the face only slightly developed. Several species of Uhu are found 



