BIRDS OF PREY. 99 



interior of Atrica. They generally resort to fields, vineyards, and gardens, exhibit no fear of man, 

 and may frequently be seen perching upon the trees that grow near crowded thoroughfares. During 

 the day they conceal themselves under the vines, or amongst the branches of trees, the stems of 

 which they so much resemble in colour as to be in but little danger of detection so long as they 

 remain quiet. It is not until evening has fully set in that they sally out in quest of food, and 

 hover, with something of the movement of a Falcon, close to the surface of the ground, in quest 

 of mice and similar fare. The nest is built in a hollow tree, and the eggs, three or four in number, 

 are laid in the autumn. 



The NOCTURNAL OWLS are distinguished from those above described, by their large round 

 heads, broad discs of feathers upon the face, and wide apertures to the ears, which are unprovided 

 with tufts. The wing is usually rounded, and the tail and foot vary considerably both as to size and 

 form. The plumage is either very thick, or lies close and compact. All the members of this group 

 sleep or doze away the whole day, and only sally forth when the sun's last rays have disappeared, for 

 in its light they are perfectly helpless and almost blind. 



THE TREE OWL. 



The Tree Owl (Syrnium alucd) is recognisable by its large head and comparatively small 

 ear-apertures, as well as by its thick neck, slender body, short tail, thickly-feathered feet, and short 

 toes. Deep grey or reddish brown predominates in the coloration of the plumage ; the back being, 

 as is usually the case, darker than the under parts of the body ; the wings are regularly marked with 

 light spots ; the nape, region of the ear, face, beak, and tips of the toes are grey ; the eye dark 

 brown, and the skin that surrounds it of a flesh-colour. 



This species is frequently met with throughout the whole of Europe, if we except its extreme 

 north and south — it is but rarely seen in Spain, and never, we believe, in some parts of Russia. 

 AVoodland districts are its usual haunts, but it also occasionally seeks shelter among ruins, or even 

 in nooks of houses. During the summer it passes the day perched close to the trunk of some old 

 hollow tree, in the interior of which it hides itself during the winter. 



The movements of this species are extremely slow and heavy, and it rarely rises above a few feet 

 from the ground whilst seeking for the mice upon which it subsists. It also devours noxious insects 

 of various kinds in considerable quantities, and thus renders important service both to the gardener 

 and farmer. Martin mentions his having found no fewer than seventy-five large caterpillars in the 

 stomach of a Tree Owl that he had killed immediately after it had finished this very substantial 

 repast. In disposition it is dull, and more uninteresting than almost any other bird with which we 

 are acquainted. Its cry is a loud, resonant " Hu, hu, hu," and often rings through the darkness like a 

 burst of demoniacal laughter. The breeding season commences about April or May, and during that 

 period these, at other times apathetic sluggards, seem roused to something like animation, and make 

 the woods re-echo with their discordant note. The eggs, two or three in number, are laid in cavities 

 of trees, or sometimes in roofs or chimneys, upon a slight bed of hair, wool, or moss ; the deserted 

 nest of some other bird is also frequently employed for the reception of the young family. The eggs 

 are oval, rough-shelled, and white. The female alone broods, and is meanwhile fed with great 

 tenderness by her mate. Both parents are much attached to their offspring. These birds may be 

 readily tamed, and soon become accustomed to those that feed them. Gadamer tells us that a Tree 

 Owl in his possession used to come out every evening and stand before the open stove, stretching 

 out its neck with eveiy demonstration of keen enjoyment. 



