94 STEIGIDiE. 



which could not when perfect have exceeded nine lines in length. 

 A friend, too, on examining the pellets cast by these owls, has 

 often, in addition to the fur and bones of rats and mice, perceived 

 the wing-cases of beetles shining through them. The remains of 

 birds he never detected. Mr. Ball has taken nine mice from the 

 stomach of one of these owls. A thrush and sparrows, together 

 with field-mice, have been found in one of their larders ;* but it 

 is probably in the absence of other prey that any of the feathered 

 tribe are attacked. Once, however, I knew a tame one kill a 

 full-grown lapwing ( Vanettus cristatus), its only constant com- 

 panion in a spacious garden. 



A white owl, kept for upwards of a year in a friend's house, 

 was from the first kindly disposed to the servant who fed it, but 

 pugnacious towards its master, instantly striking with its talons 

 at his finger when placed against the cage ; but he rather taught 

 it to do this, that its expertness might be witnessed. When 

 spoken to by any one, it returned the recognition by most gro- 

 tesquely moving from one leg to the other on its perch, accom- 

 panied at the same time by a bow or inclination of the head side- 

 ways. It screamed greatly during the night. Standing with one 

 leg drawn up, and the entire foot concealed in the plumage, the 

 white owl has a most singular appearance. Mr. Ball has known 

 one that escaped from a place in which it was for a few days con- 

 fined, return to it again after a short interval, a voluntary prisoner. 



The ruins of Rome are, as may be supposed, a fine locality for 

 the white owl. From the Coliseum, tomb of Cecilia Metella, &c, 

 I have startled it from its mid-day repose. 



THE TAWNY OWL. 



Syrnium aluco, Linn, (sp.) 

 stridula „ (sp.) 



tul/TZtV yy yy 



If included at all in the Irish Fauna, must be considered 

 extremely rare. 



* Poole. 



