THE SHOET-EAEED OWL. . 579 



in the eastern and southern departments, where it rarely remains 

 during winter. 



Another species, which is very common in Egypt, differs but 

 little from the last mentioned. It is sometimes seen in the South 

 of Sardinia and Sicily. It is commonly designated by the name 

 of the Great Short-eared Owl. 



The Virginian Horned Owl {Bubo virginianus), the Strix 

 virginiana of Yieillot, inhabits North and South America. This 

 bird is nearly the size of the Great Owl of Europe ; it is dis- 

 tinguished from the latter by a different arrangement of the 

 feathered projections on its head, which, instead of starting from 

 the ears, tate their rise close to the bill. This bird feeds on young 

 Gallinaceae, which it boldly carries off from the very midst of the 

 poultry- yards ; the Turkey especially is a particular favourite 

 with it. "When other food fails, it feeds on dead fish found on the 

 river-banks. If caught when young it is easily tamed, but as it 

 gets mature its bloodthirsty instincts become so powerful that 

 it ultimately proves a most expensive pet. 



The Short-eared Owl (Fig. 275) is about a foot in height. 

 The horns on this species' head are shorter than those of the 

 Great Owl in proportion to the birds' size. Its wings are thirty- 

 nine inches across ; in its plumage russet predominates, shaded 

 with grey and brown. It has a blackish bill and claws, and 

 beautiful yellow eyes. It inhabits hollows in rocks or dead trees, 

 and old ruined houses, and sometimes instals itself in nests left 

 vacant by Magpies, Havens, and Buzzards. It is much less wild 

 than the Great Owl, and is frequently in the habit of prowling 

 round dwelling-houses. 



This Owl being very fond of mice, which form its principal 

 food, all that is requisite to attract it to a snare is to imitate the 

 cry of these little animals. It also feeds on moles, and, in cases 

 of emergency, even on frogs, toads, leverets, young rabbits, and 

 insects. This bird displays much courage in the defence of its 

 young when it thinks them in danger, and does not then fear even 

 to attack man. Its cry consists of a kind of low moaning elow, 

 cloud, which it frequently utters during the night. It is easily 

 tamed if taken young ; but if old when caught, it persistently 

 refuses food. 



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