94 
STRIGIM. 
which could not when perfect have exceeded nine lines in length. 
A friend, too, on examining the pellets cast by these owls, has 
often, in addition to the fur and bones of rats and mice, perceived 
the wing-cases of beetles shining through them. The remains of 
birds he never detected. Mr. Ball has taken nine mice from the 
stomach of one of these owls. A thrush and sparrows, together 
with field-mice, have been found in one of their larders 3* but it 
is probably in the absence of other prey that any of the feathered 
tribe are attacked. Once, however, I knew a tame one kill a 
full-grown lapwing ( Vanellus cristatus), its only constant com- 
panion in a spacious garden. 
A white owl, kept for upwards of a year in a friend's house, 
was from the first kindly disposed to the servant who fed it, but 
pugnacious towards its master, instantly striking with its talons 
at his finger when placed against the cage ; but he rather taught 
it to do this, that its expertness might be witnessed. When 
spoken to by any one, it returned the recognition by most gro- 
tesquely moving from one leg to the other on its perch, accom- 
panied at the same time by a bow or inclination of the head side- 
ways. It screamed greatly during the night. Standing with one 
leg drawn up, and the entire foot concealed in the plumage, the 
white owl has a most singular appearance. Mr. Ball has known 
one that escaped from a place in which it was for a few days con- 
fined, return to it again after a short interval, a voluntary prisoner. 
The mins of Rome are, as may be supposed, a fine locality for 
the white owl. From the Coliseum, tomb of Cecilia Metella, &c., 
I have startled it from its mid-day repose. 
THE TAWNY OWL. 
Syrnium aluco , Linn, (sp.) 
stridula ,, (sp.) 
Strix ,, „ 
If included at all in the Irish Fauna, must be considered 
extremely rare. 
* Poole. 
