STRIX PASSERINA, 
LITTLE OWL, 
Geheric Character. 6'<f^ Strix Bubo. 
Synonyms. 
SxRix Passerina. Lin, Syft. i. p. 133. 12. Ind. 
Orn, 1. p» 65. 46. 
Little Owl. Br. ZooL 1. 70. ILfoL 73. tak B. 5. 
^r^^. Zoo/. 2. 126. i^/^. 1. 
150. 40. Or;^. £)/V7. FoL 2. 
Gz/. ^ /^^ London Mu/eim^ 43* 
IjENGTH nearly nincj and breadth fourteen inches, 
■weight about two ounees and a half. Bill broad at the bafe, 
and much curved, furrounded with hair-like feathers, which 
projed beyond the bill 5 irides light yellow with green reflec- 
tions ; legs feathered to the toes^ which are covered with 
down^ interfperfed with hairs ; claws long and ficnder. Thefe 
birds are fubje£i to confiderable variation in the colour of their 
plumage ; the female rather exceeds in fize. 
This is a very rare bird, and is but feldom known to breed 
in this country ; our friend Mr. Go ugh, of Middlefhaw, in 
Weftmorelandj informs us, " a pair took up their abode in a 
barn, in that village, in the fpring of i8ii, one of which died 
by fome accident ; another pair bred in a chimney, in the fame 
neighbourhood^ 
