361 



partial to large farm-buildings. It is oft-times seen in the country, in the daytime, perched on 

 the top of some building, but it generally flies abroad early in the evening before sunset ; it is also 

 out in the morning long after daylight ; but in dull days it prefers sitting in front of its retreat, 

 where it may be seen frequently opening and closing its eyes. It is a bird of quick flight, darting 

 off to short distances like an arrow and alighting. It feeds much on the ground, principally 

 subsisting on beetles ; and in the middle of June, when it has young, it goes abroad early in 

 the afternoon when the sun is in full glare to seek for food, which it brings quickly to its 

 offspring. As soon as the young are fledged and ready to go abroad, the old birds leave the nest 

 early in the evening, fly to a distance, perch on a housetop or some other post of vantage, and 

 commence a loud and oft-repeated chickering, night after night, until the young birds are induced 

 to leave the nest and take their first flight. Soon after, they are conducted to the mountains to 

 learn to shift for themselves, whence they return for a short time and then leave for ever their 

 paternal home. The chickering of the old birds much resembles the note of the Blackbird when 

 suddenly disturbed, but is louder and more often repeated. 



" The Little Owls are not so active by day as by night, the strong light of the sun evidently 

 affecting their vision. In spring-time their note may be frequently heard during the night from 

 the tops of houses. Wakeful and timorous people regard the cry with superstitious fear, whereas 

 it is probably no more than the outpouring of a loyal and devoted love, indicative of connubial 

 felicity, and harmless as the cooing of the Dove. The note sounds much like the clucking of a 

 hen with chicks, louder, but not so prolonged. The sexes are nearly of a size. 



" Many of these birds depart during the winter and return in the spring, while some remain 

 the whole year. Many pairs breed in the village of Ortakeuy, and one pair has occupied the 

 same nesting-place for six successive years to my certain knowledge." 

 Naumann's account of its habits is as follows : — 



" Its aversion to daylight makes it, during the daytime, a heavy, stupid bird ; and when driven 

 out of its hiding-place it flutters anxiously to the nearest place where it can seek refuge and 

 again hide. In the evening, however, it is quite another bird, passes rapidly and noiselessly 

 through the air, flying restlessly hither and thither, joyfully uttering its varied and not disagree- 

 able note. Now it uses, when on the wing or seated, a smothered, dull call, quern, quew, or quiw, 

 or a loud, clear quiutt, or kuwith, kuith. It also often, and particularly in the spring, utters a 

 deep-drawn note resembling kniik, like the note of the Long-eared or Tengmalm's Owl. These 

 notes are often variously modulated by the bird itself or the action of the air, and are supposed 

 by the superstitious peasants to form connected sentences, as, for instance, ' Komm-mit komm- 

 mit auf den Kirchof-hof-hof (Come with me, come with me, to the churchyard-yard-yard);' and 

 the bird is looked on by them as a prophet foretelling death." 



De la Fontaine says that in Luxembourg " the Little Owl inhabits the skirts of the woods, 

 orchards, rocks covered with bushes and surrounded by trees, old buildings, churches, and 

 towers. It sometimes comes to inhabited houses, particularly in the autumn, and sits on the 

 roofs, whence it utters its melancholy cry. 



" Its nest, in which the female deposits four or five eggs, is in rocks, hollow trees, and old 

 walls. It feeds on small birds, mice, and other small rodents, moths, maybugs, &c. It is 

 sedentary, common, and undoubtedly a most useful bird." 



2b2 



