76 
VEETEBRATA. 
Genus OTUS : Otus. — This includes several species, marked by movable ear-tufts. The Long- 
eared Ov^TL 01" Europe — Hibou of the French ; Hibou Moyen Due of Temminck — is fourteen or 
fifteen inches long, and feeds on small quadi-upeds, as rats, moles, mice, and small birds. Its gen- 
eral color above is light brown, marked with streaks of blackish-brown ; beneath, mixed grayish 
white and pale brown, streaked with umber. It is common in England, France, and throughout 
all Europe. 
The American Long-eared Owl, 0. Wilsoniamis, resembles the preceding, and has been re- 
garded as the same species, but it is somewhat larger and darker colored, and is doubtless distinct. 
It is one of the commonest owls of the Northern and Eastern States, breeds in Pennsylvania, and 
is found as far north as Hudson's Bay. 
The Short-eared Owl, 0. brachtjotus, is fourteen inches long, and is distinguished by a small 
head ; it feeds on small quadrupeds and small birds, and being migratory in England, coming 
\ from the north in October, is called the Woodcock Owl. 
The American Short-eared Owl, or Marsh Owl, Strix brachyotus of Forster, is like the pre- 
ceding, and has been regarded as the same species ; Cassin thinks, however, that it is larger and 
darker colored, and that it is probably distinct. It is common throughout Northern America, 
being migratory in the LT nited States, as is the case with the American Long-eared Owl, coming 
from the north in November and departing in the spring. 
Oenus STRIX: Strix. — This includes the European Barn-Owl, S.flammea, which may be 
considered as the type of the genus ^'(tW.r, which embraces the true owls ; it is the Effraie, and Petit 
Chat-huant Plombe of the French ; Barbagianni^ Alloco Commune e Bianco of the Italians ; 
SchleierTcauz, PerlschleierJcautz, and Perl-Eule of the Germans; Barn- Owl, White Otvl, Church- 
Owl, Gillihmulet, Howlet, Madge-Hoxvlet, Madge-Oivl, Hissing- Owl, and Screech-Owl of the Eng- 
lish ; and Dylluan Wen of the Welsh. The upper parts are bright yellowish, varied with gray 
and brown zigzag lines, and sprinkled with a multitude of small whitish dots; face and throat 
white; lower parts in some individuals rusty white, sprinkled with small brown dots; in others 
bright white, marked with small brownish points ; in others again without the slightest appear- 
ance of spots ; feet and toes covered with a very short down, more scanty on the toes ; iris yel- 
low ; length about thirteen inches. There are varieties, some whitish and some entirely white. 
It is common in most parts of Europe. 
Montagu says that this species is never known to hoot. Mr. Yarrell states that it screeches, 
but does not generally hoot. Sir W. Jardine declares that he shot one in the act of hooting, and 
that at night, when not alarmed, hooting is its general cry. It hisses, and, like other owls when 
annoyed or frightened, snaps its bill loudly. It was said to snore, but this sound is now regarded 
as the grumbling of the young ones when hungry. Rats, mice, shrews, young birds, and beetles 
^orm their food, and the mice especially sufi'er when the White Owl has a young brood to sustain. 
It has been seen to catch fish. It is almost domesticated in Europe, especially in England, inhab- 
iting even populous towns, and is particularly attached to towers, belfries, the roofs of churches, 
and other lofty buildings, which aftbrd it a secure retreat. Every one will remember the fine de- 
scriptive lines of Gray, referring, no doubt, to this species— 
" from yonder ivy-mantled tower, 
The moping owl does to the moon complain 
Of such as, wandering near her secret bower, 
Molest her ancient, solitary reign." 
Macgillivray tells us that the barn-owl chooses for his place of repose some obscure nook in an 
old building, the steeple of a church, a tower, a dove-cot, or a hollow tree. There he remains 
from sunrise to sunset, in a nearly erect posture, with retracted neck and closed eyelids, dozing 
away the hours in which, from the structure of his eyes, he is unable to approach his prey, and 
waiting for the return of twilight. If approached in this state, instead of flying off, he raises his 
feathers, hisses like an angry cat, clicks his bill, and thus threatens the intruder. Should he by 
an accident be driven abroad, he seems dazzled and bewildered. Incapable of distinctly perceiv- 
ing the objects around him, he flits about with an unsteady flight, and is glad to betake himself to 
some dark retreat, where he may be sheltered from the light, as well as from his numerous enemies. 
