384 Birds. 



found it to be that of a heron [Ardea cinerea). It contained a few 

 beautiful blue eggs. Robert Dick Duncan. 



Vale of Almond, Mid Calder, Edinburghshire, 

 October 19, 1843. 



Note on the Habits of the Barn Owl. Some time ago I had a very 

 favourable opportunity of observing the habits of the barn owl during 

 the breeding season. For four years in succession a pair of these 

 birds resorted, during the breeding season, to a hollow tree, not more 

 than thirty yards from my house. During the time of incubation one 

 of the old birds generally reposed during the day on a beam in the 

 church porch, which was almost adjoining, and when disturbed flew 

 to a short distance. Whenever I saw it, it was sitting perfectly up- 

 right. Soon after the young were hatched, two distinct sounds might 

 be heard from the nest during great part of the day ; the one exactly 

 resembling the deep breathing of a person in a sound sleep, the other 

 that of a person loudly snoring : both sounds ceased as soon as the 

 inhabitants became aware that any one was near. As the young birds 

 increased in growth, one or more might frequently be seen towards 

 the afternoon at the entrance of the cavity; they were always silent, 

 but the same sounds were still audible from the nest. On approach- 

 ing them at this time, their look of extreme surprise, and the awkward 

 solemnity with which they withdrew from observation, was ludicrous. 

 Soon after five in the evening the old birds commenced their search 

 for food for their family, which appeared to consist chiefly of mice. I 

 have watched them often sailing slov/ing over the fields and along the 

 hedge-rows. Upon seeing a mouse, they dropped upon it in an in- 

 stant, and having secured it, returned immediately to the nest, passing 

 frequently within a few yards of me. I noticed that one or other of 

 the parent birds returned with food to the nest at intervals of from five 

 to seven or eight minutes, during the whole evening. The prey was 

 always carried in the foot, which was allowed to hang dowTi, giving an 

 odd appearance to the bird while on wing, but as soon as it reached 

 the tree it was transferred to the beak. I once saw the transfer made 

 while the bird was flying. The general number of young brought up 

 during the time I observed them was four. When once they left the 

 nest I saw no more of them ; the old birds remained, but the young 

 ones seemed to leave the immediate neighbourhood. T never knew 

 them produce a second brood in the year. — John Athinson ; Layer 

 Marney Rectory, Kelvedon, Essex, October 21, 1843. 



E. NEWMAN, PRINTER, DEVONSHIRE STREET, IJISHOi'SGATE 



