HORNED OWLS. 547 



stances to do so, they are assailed by all the Passerines of the neigh- 

 bourhood, which resent their intrusion, and avenge the oppression 

 exercised over them during the night. When thus attacked a noc- 

 turnal bird places itself in the strangest postures, ruffles up its 

 feathers, and balances its head with a stupid look, and expresses its 

 indignation by making a cracking sound with its bill. It does not, 

 however, try to defend itself, and passively receives the blows of its 

 feathered enemies. The natural antipathy of small birds for their 

 nocturnal destroyers has been taken advantage of for their capture. 

 The fowler imitates the voice of an owl, the birds flock together and 

 perch on the trees or bushes in the vicinity suspected to shelter 

 one, where twigs covered with birdlime have been abundantly scat- 

 tered. This operation must take place about an hour before sunset, 

 if later it would not be successful. This way of catching birds was 

 in use in the days of antiquity, for Aristotle has given us a descrip- 

 tion of it. 



In consequence of the peculiarities of the Owl, it has given rise 

 to more fables and prejudices than any living creature. Although 

 inoffensive in general, and even useful — for they destroy a large 

 quantity of rats and mice — in the rural districts nocturnal birds of 

 prey have occasioned so much superstition and terror, that they have 

 been hunted down with the utmost animosity. 



On account of the calm and grave attitude which distinguishes 

 the Owl, giving it the air of a philosopher meditating on the problems 

 of life, the Greeks dedicated it to Minerva. 



Mr. Swainson divides Owls into three groups — namely, Typical 

 Owls, Horned Owls, and Hawk Owls ; for simplicity and brevity we 

 prefer making only two families — namely, those with horns and those 

 without. 



Horned Owls. 



Horned owls are distinguished by two tufts or horns of feathers 

 placed on each side of their head. They are subdivided into 

 many species, five of which — the Great Owl, Virginian Eared Owl, 

 the Long-eared Owls, Short-eared Owls, and Scops-eared Owl, we 

 will mention. 



The Great Owl {Bubo maximus, Fig. 254) is the most remarkable 

 of the family on account of its size and strength. Its height is on 

 an average two feet, and it is justly acknowledged as the king of 

 nocturnal birds. Its bill and claws are of a black colour, very strong 

 and hooked. Its plumage is russet, variegated with black spots and 

 brown stripes ; its wings, when extended, are not less than five feet 



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