THE TAWNY OWL. 



Syrnium aluco (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 26. 



This species, also called the Brown or Wood-Owl, is resident in many parts of 

 Great Britain, and of late years has been introduced into Ireland. It is scarce in 

 the north of Scotland, but seems to be the most abundant of the Owls in most parts 

 of that country. It inhabits the greater portion of Europe, occurring as far north 

 as Scandinavia and south to the Mediterranean. It ranges eastwards to Siberia, 

 and is also found in Persia, Asia Minor, and Syria. 



The Tawny Owl loves the shade of old and ivy-covered trees, and early in the 

 year lays its eggs within a hollowed trunk or in the old nest of a Crow or Rook, 

 although it will occasionally use a rabbit-hole or even the bare ground. The eggs 

 vary in number, from three to five or six, and are rounded in shape and pure white 

 in colour. 



Its well-known hooting note, which has been rendered as " whoo hoo," is often 

 heard more frequently during the autumn and winter months than in summer. 



The food of this species consists chiefly of rats, mice, voles, small birds, and 

 occasionally fish, and it should be carefully protected. 



A phase of this Owl sometimes occurs of a much greyer tone of colour than the 

 better known tawny form. 



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