150 STRIGIDA. 
however, to believe that from the general similarity im 
appearance of these two small Owls, they have been fre- 
quently mistaken the one for the other. The specific dis- 
tinctions will be pointed out. The Little Owl is strictly 
nocturnal in its habits, but towards the evening becomes 
active and vigilant. Bechstein, in his Natural History of 
Cage Birds,—for a published translation of which we are 
indebted to Mr. Rennie,—says, ‘‘In its wild state this 
small species of Owl frequents old buildings, towers, and 
church walls, where its nest is also found. ‘The female 
lays two white eggs of a short oval form, one inch four 
lines in length by one inch one line in breadth. The 
male takes his turn to sit upon the eggs during incuba- 
tion; and the young ones may be very easily reared on 
fresh meat, particularly on Pigeons.” This species is very 
frequently exposed for sale in the markets of Germany, 
Holland, and France. 
In a wild state it feeds-on mice, bats, small birds, which 
it takes from the roost, and insects. 
““In a cage,” according to Bechstein, “it may be kept 
for some time in good health, if fed on dried mutton: the 
skin, fat, and bones must be removed, and the meat left 
to soak in water for two days before it is eaten. Three 
quarters of an ounce a day of this meat dried will be suf- 
ficient, particularly if now and then some mice or small 
birds be given it, which it swallows, feathers and all: it 
can devour as many as five mice at a meal. It begins to 
wake up at about two in the afternoon, and then becomes 
very lively, and soon wants its food. If great care be 
not taken sometimes to give it mice or birds, the fur and 
feathers of which cleanse the stomach, it will soon die of 
decline. It is easily captured when the place of its re- 
ireat during the day is discovered, by placing a net in 
the form of a bag over the mouth of the hole, for the 
