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STRIX PASSERINA. 
LITTLE OWL. 
Quill feathers with five rows of white 
spots. 
Strix Passerina — Lin. Gmelin. 
La Cheveche,on Petite Chouette— Buffon. 
Little Owl— Pen. Lath. Bew. Mont Sha w. 
This elegant species of Owl measures from 
eight to nine inches in length; and in size it 
is little superior to that of a Blackbird. 
The female builds its nest (which is con- 
structed in the rudest manner) in the most re- 
tired places. It lays five eggs, spotted with 
white and yellow. In Carniola it is said to 
build its nest in chimnies, and Edwards re- 
cords two instances of this species having 
been taken in this country by coming down 
chimnies. 
We recollect a nest of these birds being 
taken at no great distance from Norwich. 
The Little Owl appears to vary in the 
colour of its plumage, and in some accounts 
the eyes are said to be black, but in those 
