92 STBIGIDiE. 



THE WHITE, OE BARN OWL. 



Striae flammea, Linn. 



Is the most commou species, and takes up its abode in 

 towns, as well as in country districts. 



Where there is much old timber, the long-eared owl may be as 

 frequent as this species ; but throughout Ireland generally, the 

 numbers of S. flammea doubtless greatly prevail. It is said to be 

 the only species of owl known in the island of Rathlin, and to be 

 very rare.* Both this and the long-eared owl, which were once 

 plentiful in the plantations at Springvale, county of Down, are 

 said to have almost entirely disappeared of late years, without any 

 apparent cause, although the greatest protection was always 

 afforded to them. 



I have had the following evidence of the white owl's regular 

 flight to some distance from its domicile, just as twilight com- 

 mences. Near Belfast, there is a considerable extent of low-lying 

 meadows which are flooded by heavy rains, and at such times are 

 resorted to by various species of wild-fowl (Anatida). The flood 

 never attaining such a height as to cover the banks surrounding 

 these meadows, they are frequented by persons for the purpose of 

 shooting the wild-fowl on their evening flight, and to whom the 

 owl, on as " murderous deeds intent," occasionally falls a victim. 

 It at first occurred to me that the owl's visit might be consequent 

 on the flood having driven the rats, mice, &c, on which it preys, 

 from the meadows to their banks, where, as the only place of 

 refuge, these animals would be more than usually abundant ; but 

 I since ascertained that the owl equally haunts them when the 

 flood is gone. I have seen it flying towards these grounds from 

 the distance of nearly a mile. 



This species builds its nest in the ordinary site, old houses, &c, 

 about Youghal.f The family at Castle Warren, near Cork, were 

 much alarmed on one occasion by hearing a loud snoring noise, 

 like that made by a man after a day's hard labour, proceeding 



* Dr. J. D. Marshall. f Ball. 



