Earep Ow.s. RAPACES. STRIX. 53 
Mice and moles form the principal part of their proven- Food. 
der; though Monracu * says, that they sometimes take 
small birds on the roost. 
In the stomach of one individual, I found five skulls of 
mice, which were, without doubt, the relics from its repast of 
the previous night. This bird is of a resolute character, and, 
when wounded, or taken by surprise, throws itself upon its 
back, and makes a vigorous defence with its claws, hissing 
with violence, and snapping with its bill. In this situation, 
the ears are fully elevated, and projected forwards. 
It is pretty generally diffused throughout Europe; and in 
North America is found to inhabit the woods at a distance 
from the sea. It has been observed as far northward as Hud- 
son’s Bay. 
Piate 20. A male bird, and nearly of the natural size. 
Bill blackish-grey. Irides Dutch orange, inclining to or- General 
piment-orange. The bristly feathers covering the nos- pepe 
trils and base of the bill are white, with black shafts. 
Above the eye, and at the inner angle, black. Cheeks 
tawny. The circle of small feathers surrounding the 
face, mottled with white, black, and orange-brown. 
Above each eye is a tuft of six or eight elongated fea- 
thers, which the bird can erect or depress at pleasure. 
Upper parts of the body orange, streaked with black, 
and beautifully powdered with black, white, and grey 
specks. Quills barred with brownish-black, the bases of 
the primary ones orange-brown. Exterior web of the 
outer quill serrated. Tail pale orange, with a greyish 
tinge, barred and spotted with black. Under parts 
buff-orange, with oblong and arrow-shaped streaks and 
spots. Legs and toes clothed with pale buff-orange 
feathers. 
* Monr. Ornith. Dict. vol. ii. 
