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cassell's book of birds. 



THE HAIRY -FOOTED OWL. 

 The Hairy-footed Owl (Nydale dasypus) is distinguished by its unusually broad head, large 

 ear-apertures, and well-developed facial discs ; the wings are rounded, the tail of moderate size, and 

 the short and rounded tarsi, covered with long, thickly-set feathers ; the plumage is soft and silky. 

 The upper parts of the body are mouse grey, with large white spots ; and the under side white, 

 distinctly streaked with greyish brown. The wings and tail-feathers are mouse grey, with irregular 



THE TREE OWL (Syrnium aluco). 



white stripes; the long feathers about the face whitish grey, mottled with black; the beak is greyish 

 yellow, and the eye bright gold colour. The young are of an uniform reddish brown, with white 

 spots upon the wings and tail. The length of this species is from nine to ten, its breadth from 

 twenty-one to twenty-three inches, and the tail about six or seven inches. 



These birds inhabit Central Europe, and are likewise found in the northern parts of Asia and 

 America ; they are never seen in any large numbers, and are reckoned among the greatest rarities in 

 our aviaries, owing to the difficulties attendant on their capture, for their retreats are usually in the 

 deepest recesses of woods and forests, which they seldom quit. A hollow tree is the favourite resort 

 of a pair of Hairy-footed Owls, and there they remain during the whole day, but at night fly away 

 together in search of food. They appear carefully to avoid the light of the sun, and are extremely 



