EarepD Owt.s. RAPACES. STRIX. © 57 
In consequence of a few well authenticated instances of 
this handsome little Owl having been lately taken in Eng- 
land, I have ventured to insert it as an occasional visitant, Occasional 
and to give a representation of one obtained, as I am assu- cant 
red, in the neighbourhood of London *.—It is very common 
in the warmer parts of Europe during the summer months, Locality. 
but regularly leaves them on the approach of autumn, for 
regions nearer to the equator. In France, it arrives and de- 
parts with the swallow. Its favourite residence in Italy, ac- 
cording to SPALLANZANI, is in the lower wooded regions.— 
Field and shrew mice, insects, and earth-worms, are its food, Food. 
in quest of which it sallies forth at night-fall, uttering at the 
same time its cry, which resembles the word chivi, and 
whence, in some districts, it has acquired the name of Che- 
vini. It constructs no nest, but deposits five or six eggs in 
the hollow of a tree. 
An interesting account of the habits and manners of this 
bird is given by the above-mentioned author, who reared and 
domesticated several nestlings. 
Pate 22. Figure of the natural size. 
Bill black. Irides king’s-yellow. Head, face, and neck, General 
smoke-grey, beautifully speckled with black. Breast cea 
and belly ash-grey, barred and speckled with black and 
reddish-brown. Back chesnut, sometimes yellowish- 
brown, with a greyish cast, crossed by fine black zig- 
zag lines. Quills barred with white. ‘Tail barred and 
spotted with black, brown, and white. 'Tarsi feathered, 
of an ash-grey colour, speckled with brown. Toes na- 
ked, scaly, coloured bluish-grey; the outer one capable 
of bemg turned backwards. Claws black. The fea- 
thers which composse the horns amount to six or eight 
* TI have seen a specimen which was killed near York, and is now in the 
possession of that ingenious artist Mr Brwicx. The Foljambe Collection 
also possesses English specimens of this species. 
