BARN OWL. ^59 



small blackish or dusky spots. This species how- 

 ever sometimes varies in having the under parts 

 yellowish : th^ legs are feathered or plumed to the 

 toes, which are covered by fine hq,ir. 



It would be unnecessary to dwell long on the 

 manners of so common an inhabitant of our own 

 country, where every village is acquainted with its 

 general history, which cannot be better stated than 

 in the words of Mr. Pennant, who observes that 

 "this species is almost domestic: inhabiting for 

 the greatest part of the year, barns, hay-lofts, and 

 other outhouses; and is as useful in clearing those 

 places from mice as the congenial cat ; towards 

 twihght it quits its perch, and takes a regular 

 circuit round the fields, skimming along the ground 

 in quest of field mice, and then returns to its 

 usual residence. In the breeding season it takes 

 to the eaves of churches, holes in lofty buildings, 

 or hollows of trees. During the time the young 

 are in the nest, the male and female alternately 

 sally out in quest of food, make their circuit, beat 

 the fields with the regularity of a spaniel, and drop 

 instantly on their prey in the grass. They very 

 seldom stay out above five minutes; return with 

 the prey in their claws; but as it is necessary to 

 shift it into their bill, they always alight for that 

 purpose on the roof, before they attempt to enter 

 their nest. This species, I believe, does not hoot; 

 but snores and hisses in a violent manner; and 

 while it flies along, will often scream most tre- 

 mendously. Its only food is mice: as the young 



