•254 
WHITE OR BARN OWL. 
district where buildings of this description are not 
frequent, some thick pine or evergreen, or one of 
those varieties of the oak which retain their 
withered leaves thickly during winter, serve as a 
retreat by day, the bird generally perched quite 
upright, and often close to the bole or trunk of 
the tree ; and where it is frequent, a walk through 
the wood or plantations, and a careful inspection 
of the evergreens, will commonly discover one, 
the pure white plumage of the breast being con- 
spicuous, and shining even through the thickest 
foliage. When they are thus found, they are 
easily approached very close, and we saw an 
instance where a spruce tree was climbed till 
within a few feet of the drowsy bird, which was 
only fairly roused when an attempt was made to 
gripe at the legs. When discovered in a chimney, 
they do not attempt to escape upwards, but turn 
on their backs and snap and hiss, their common 
manner of defence where escape seems unattain- 
able. Neither when roused from such retreats do 
they seem so wary as our other species, always 
permitting an approach within ten or twelve yards. 
But in such situations, or in woods, we have never 
seen the.nest, though a hollow tree may be occasion- 
ally selected, as mentioned by Temminck. From 
these retreats a sally is made each evening generally 
between sunset and dusk ; the open glades of the 
woods are hunted, the meadows and grass fields, in 
a low and sailing flight. Meadows are a favourite 
