812 OWL. 



of which the front one was the shortest, and the fifth the longest ; 

 when they were in their places, there appeared a black broad stripe, 

 with the outer edge yellow, the inner crossed with two or three 

 obscure bars of a darker shade. 



This is a bird known throughout Europe, and not unfrequent 

 both in France and England, but more so in the northern parts of the 

 latter. It is observed that these birds rarely compose a nest for them- 

 selves, but for the most part make use of an old magpie's or buzzard's 

 nest, and lay four or five white eggs ; the young are at first white, 

 but come to their colour in about fifteen days. 



In Germany it is sufficiently common, and we believe in no 

 place migratory ; inhabits also Sweden, and both the north and 

 south parts of the Russian dominions, and east part of Siberia, even 

 as far south as Astiachan, and the hot climate of Egypt. Levaillant 

 met with it at the Cape of Good Hope, and other parts of Africa, 

 and we remember to have observed it in some drawings from China ; 

 it is also seen in India. Mr. Hutchins found it common at Hud- 

 son's Bay; and says, the weight of a male is eight ounces and a half, 

 breadth 28 in. and that it is rarely met with, except at a distance 

 from the sea ; he observes, that it is very clamorous at night, but 

 .seldom seen in the day ; breeds in trees, laying four white eggs, and 

 the young fiy the end of May. It is known there by the name of 

 Amisk Oho. 



A. — Asio Italicus, Bris.'i. 491. A. Id. 8vo. 142. 

 Asio, sive Otus, Aldrov. Av. i. 519. t. in. .523. 

 Italian Eared Owl, Gen. S>/n. i. 519. p. 122. 



This is said to be a trifle bigger than the last ; head ash-colour, 

 mixed with pale chestnut and black ; body ferruginous ash, irregu- 

 larly spotted with brown ; coverts, and bend of wing white ; the 

 tail reaches six inches beyond the wings when closed, and is marked 



