344 owh. 



A. — Strix Aluco, Ind. Orn. i. p. 59. Lin, Syst. i. 132. Gm. Lin. i. 292. Scop. Ann. 

 i. No. 11. N. Act. Stock. 17S2. ii. No. 8. Gerin. t. 94: Bechst. Deuts. ii. 353. 

 Ulula, Bris. i. 507. Id. 8i-o. 148. Will. p. 68. t. 13. Klein. 57. Frisch. t. 94. Noc- 



tua Major. 

 Aluco prior Aldr. fVill. Eng: 104. pi. 13. Brun. No. 17. Faun, Arag, p. 71. 



Borowsk. ii. p. 79. 

 Die Nachteule, Natiirf. 8. s. 58. 

 Hulotte, Buf. i. 158. PL enl. 441. 

 Black Owl, Alb. iii. pi. 8 ? 



Brown Owl, Br. Zool. No. C9. pi. 32, Id. fol. p. 72. t. B. f. i. Id. Ed. 1812. p. 

 258. pl.33. Arct.Zool.i\. No. 125. Lewin's Birds, pl.28. Id.Eggs. pl.ir. f. 3. 

 Aluco Owl, Gen, Syn. i. p. 134. 



The face of this bird is ash-coloured, spotted with brown ; irides 

 dnsky blue ; the markings of the plumage throughout correspond 

 with the Tawny Owl, except in the ground colour, being brown 

 instead of tawnj ; the under parts have the ground whitish asli-colour; 

 in both, the first four outer quills are senated. 



This Owl is eveiy where common in the woods of England, and 

 we believe throughout Europe, concealing itself during the day in 

 the thickest recesses, rarely appearing in full light ; for although it 

 can draw a veil, or nictitating membrane, over the eyes, it is perhaps 

 not sufficient to exclude the light, which renders vision useless ; they 

 breed in hollow trees, laying from two to four white eggs ; and have 

 been known to make use of an old rabbit burrow for that purpose ; 

 are very desti'uctive to young hares as well as young pigeons, though 

 useful in destroying rats and mice. It is by some called Screech 

 Owl, from its now and then approaching habitations, settling 

 close to the windows, and hooting most disagreeably, so as to 

 terrify weak minds, as if foreboding some dreadful event. Known 

 in Cheshire by the name of Gil-hooter. 



This species is less common in Russia, than elsewhere on the 



