550 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



moment when his attention was diverted. These parental attentions 

 ceased in the month of August, when the young bird became capable 

 of providing for itself. 



The Great Owl, which is common in Switzerland and Italy, in- 

 habits also Asia. It is not often met with in France, except in the 

 eastern and southern departments, where it rarely remains during 

 winter. 



A variety of this species is very common in Egypt, and is some- 

 times seen in the south of Sardinia and Sicily. 



The Virginian Eared Owl [Bubo virginianus, Fig. 255) inhabits 

 North America. This bird is nearly the size of the Great Owl of 

 Europe. It is distinguished from the latter by a different arrange- 

 ment of the feathered projections on its head, which, instead of 

 starting from the ears, take their rise close above the bill. This bird 

 feeds on young Gallinacese, which it boldly carries off from the very 

 midst of the poultry-yards ; to the Turkey it is especially destructive. 

 When other food fails, it feeds on dead fish. If caught when young 

 it is easily tamed, but as it gets mature its bloodthirsty instincts 

 become so powerful that it ultimately proves a most expensive pet. 



The Long-eared Owl (Of us vulgaris) is more sociable than most 

 nocturnal birds of prey, and is often met with in the north of France 

 and England. Its habitat is not confined, for it is to be found in 

 Asia, Africa, and America. It is not large, for it seldom exceeds 

 fifteen inches in length ; nevertheless, it is possessed of great courage, 

 and attacks successfully birds and mammals of considerable size. Its 

 appetite appears insatiable. The general colour varies from pale to 

 dark brown, marked with dark pencillings. Any nest, even that of 

 the squirrel, suits its fancy, in which it lays four or five white eggs. 

 Although so bloodthirsty, it is easily tamed. 



The Short-eared Owl (Otus brachyotus) is about a foot in .height. 

 The horns of this species are much shorter than those of the Long- 

 eared Owl. Its length is about fifteen inches ; in its plumage russet 

 predominates, shaded with grey and brown. It has a blackish bill 

 and claws, and beautiful yellow eyes. It inhabits hollows in rocks 

 or dead trees, and old ruined houses, and sometimes instals itself in 

 nests left vacant by Magpies, Ravens, and Buzzards. It is much less 

 timid than the Long-eared Owl, and does not possess a protracted 

 flight. 



This Owl being very fond of mice, which form its principal food, 

 all that is requisite to attract it to a snare is to imitate the cry of 

 those rodents. It also feeds jon moles, and, in cases of emergency, 

 even on frogs, toads, leverets, and young rabbits. Its nest has been 



