The White Owl. 



469 



itself. Old birds are difficult to tame, and exhibit a sullen 

 disposition for a lengthened period. 



Food and Teeatment. — The White Owl lives principally on 

 mice and moles, in its natural state ; it likewise kills and eats 

 rats, and occasionally small birds and bats. When very hungry, 

 or as a change of diet, it devours beetles and other insects. 

 In confinement, it may be fed on raw meat, mice, moles, 

 and fish of any description. 



Bearing the Young. — The young may be reared and 

 treated in all respects the same as those of the Kestrel Hawk 

 (see p. 449). 



When they are frequently handled they become comparatively 

 tame, and may be allowed their liberty in a walled-in garden, 

 if they have their wings clipped, and have a properly formed 

 shelter constructed for them to retire into during the daytime. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — The hen is 

 a little larger, and slightly darker and duller in the ground 

 colour of its plumage than the male bird, and is, as a 

 rule, more profusely spotted on the breast ; but it must be 

 admitted that the birds vary considerably in this respect, 

 no two being precisely alike. The hen is mostly greyer on 

 the under parts and about the face. The sexes are difficult 

 to distinguish, excepting by the general outward appearance ; 

 the male is usually fuller and rounder in the face, and 

 there is an undefinable something of the masculine in the 

 contour and manner of a male bird, and an effeminacy in 

 the attitude and gestures of a hen, that is plainly noticeable 

 to , a trained eye, but which cannot be accurately described 

 or imparted to an inexperienced person. 



Song. — The White Owl is a very unmusical bird. It 

 shrieks loudly and shrilly, and when molested hisses like a 

 snake. 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — Select a male bird with 

 a rich, fawn-coloured head, back, wings, &c. ; a delicate white 

 face ; a fine, well-formed ruffle ; clear and well-defined markings ; 

 a creamy white breast, piercing eyes, and a well-developed head ; 

 sound feet and claws, free from deformity ; the legs well 

 covered with smooth, soft feathers. The entire plumage must 

 be close-fitting to the body, and bright in sheen ; the wings 

 and tail perfect in form and feathering, and free from dirt. 

 The exhibit must also be docile and tractable. 



