WHITE OWL. Class II. 



of food, make their circuit, beat the fields with 

 the regularity of a spaniel, and drop instantly 

 on their prey in the grass. They very seldom 

 stay out above five minutes ; return with their 

 prey in their claws ; but as it is necessary to 

 shift it into their bill, they always alight for that 

 purpose on the roof, before they attempt to en- 

 ter their nest. 



This species I believe does not hoot, but 

 snores and hisses in a violent manner; and 

 while it flies along, will often scream most tre- 

 mendously. Its only food is mice; as the 

 young of these birds keep their nest for a great 

 length of time, and are fed even long after they 

 can fly, many hundreds of mice will scarcely 

 suffice to supply them with food. 



Owls cast up the bones, fur or feathers of 

 their prey in form of small pellets, after they 

 have devoured it, in the same manner as hawks 

 do. A gentleman, on grubbing up an old pol- 

 lard ash which had been the habitation of owls 

 for many generations, found at the bottom 

 many bushels of this rejected stuff. Some owls 

 will, when they are satisfied, hide, like dogs, the 

 remainder of their meat. 

 Descrip- The elegant plumage of this bird makes 

 amends for the uncouthness of its form. A circle 

 of soft white feathers surrounds the eyes ; the 



