. The popular natural history . Zoology. 266 THE BARN OWL. owl is Tery small, as it only measures seven inches in length; the third primary feather is the longest. It lays from two to four white eggs in a simple nest made in a hollow tree or in a cleft in the rock The best known of the British Owls is the Whiie, BaRN, or SCREECH Owl, by either of which appellations the bird is familiarly known over the whole of England. This delicately-coloured and soft-plumed bird is always found near human habitations, and is generally in the vicinity of farmyards, where it loves to dwell, not for the sake o
. The popular natural history . Zoology. 266 THE BARN OWL. owl is Tery small, as it only measures seven inches in length; the third primary feather is the longest. It lays from two to four white eggs in a simple nest made in a hollow tree or in a cleft in the rock The best known of the British Owls is the Whiie, BaRN, or SCREECH Owl, by either of which appellations the bird is familiarly known over the whole of England. This delicately-coloured and soft-plumed bird is always found near human habitations, and is generally in the vicinity of farmyards, where it loves to dwell, not for the sake of devouring the young poultry, but of eating the various mice which make such havoc in the ricks, fields, and barns. The " feathered cat," as this bird has happily been termed, is a terrible foe to mice, especially to the common field-mouse, great numbers of which are killed daily by a single pair of Owls when they are bringing up their young family. In the evening dusk, when the mice begin to stir abroad in search of a mole, the Owl starts in search of the mice, and with noiseless flight quarters the ground in a sportsmanlike and systematic manner, watching with. wuuji, OR BARN OWL.—(Strixflammea.) its great round eyes every movement of a grass-blade, and catching with its sensitive ears every sound that issues from behind. Never a field-mouse can come within ken of the bird's eye, or make the least rustling among the leaves within hearing of the Owl's ear, that is not detected and captured. The claws are the instruments by which the Owl seizes its victim, and it does not employ the beak until it desires to devour the prey. This bird is easily tamed when taken young, and is a very amusing pet If properly treated, and fed with appropriate diet, it will live for a consider- able time without requiring very close attendance. Even if it be set at liberty, and its wings permitted to reach their full growth, it will voluntarily remain with its owner, whom it recognizes w
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
