SMOOTH-HEADED Owits. RAPACES. STRIX. 63 
gists respecting the identity of the brown and tawny owl, and Identity of 
it being satisfactorily ascertained that the difference in the co- Te ane 
lour of the plumage is merely sexual, I have brought their Ow. 
synonymes together. Next to the white or barn owl, it is 
the most abundant of the British species, and is, like the for- 
mer, generally dispersed throughout the kingdom; but is 
most readily to be met with in well-wooded districts, as it 
takes up its abode in woods and thick plantations, preferrmg Haunts. 
those which abound in firs and holly, or ivy bushes. In such 
situations it remains concealed till night-fall, as it is very 
impatient of the glare of day, and sees, indeed, imperfectly 
during that time. 
It builds in the cavities of old trees, or will occupy the de- 
serted nest of a crow, and produces four or five white eggs, of 
an elliptical shape. 
The young, on their exclusion, are covered with a greyish 
down, and are easily tamed, when fed by the hand; but 
Monracu observes, that if placed out of doors, within hear- 
ing of their parents, they retain their native shyness, as the 
old birds visit them at night, and supply them with abun- 
dance of food. ‘They prey upon rats, mice, moles, rabbits, Food. 
and young leverets, and are sometimes destructive to pigeons; 
entering the dovecots, and committing great havoc. 
At night this species is very clamorous, and is easily to be 
known from the others by its hooting, in the utterance of 
_ which sounds its throat is largely inflated. 
Prate 25. Natural size. 
Bill yellowish-white. Irides bluish-black. Facial feathers Generai 
white, timged more or less with brown. The circle of ge 
small feathers surrounding the face white, spotted with 
yellowish-brown and black. Upper parts of the plumage 
spotted, and marked with umber-brown, black, aud ash- 
grey, upon a ground of wood-brown colour. Scapulars 
and wing-coverts, with large white spots, forming indis- 
tinct rows. Under parts yellowish-white, with trans- 
