16 



THE CIVETTA, 



and in the month of September is sold for a 

 dollar to sportsmen, who take it with them in 

 their excursions through the country, to look 

 for larks and other small birds. Perched on 

 the top of a pole, it attracts their notice and 

 draws them within the fatal range of gunshot 

 by its most singular gestures ; for, standing 

 bolt upright, it curtsies incessantly, with its 

 head somewhat inclined forwards, whilst it 

 keeps its eyes fixed on the approaching object. 

 This odd movement is peculiar to the civetta 

 alone. By it, the birds of the neighbourhood 

 are decoyed to their destruction. Hence its 

 value to the ranging sportsman. Often and 

 anon, as the inhabitants of Rome pass through 

 the bird-market at the Pantheon, they stop, 

 and look, and laugh at this pretty little captive 

 owl, whilst it is performing its ridiculous ges- 

 ticulations. 



Its flesh is relished by the natives of Italy. 

 You may see the civetta, plucked and ready 

 trussed for the spit, on the same stall at which 

 hawks, crows, jackdaws, jays, magpies, hedge- 

 hogs, frogs, snails, and buzzards are offered for 

 sale to the passing conoscenti, who frequent 

 the bird-market in quest of carnal delicacies. 



