S T R I X F LAMMEA , Unn.
Barn-Owl.
Strixflammea, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 133.
guttata, Brehm, Vbg. Deutschl., tom. i. p. 106, tab. 7. fig. 3.
Ahtcoflammeus, Flem. Hist, of Brit. Anim., p. 57.
T h e Owls form a large group of birds, of which some are strictly nocturnal, while others seek their prey
in the daytime; a few feed exclusively on insects, others on small animals of various kinds. As may he
naturally supposed, many generic terms have been proposed for the various forms which occur in this
extensive family ; the old Linnean name of Strut, however, is retained for the Barn-Owl aud its immediate
allies. I t is the members of this genus that are most universally dispersed over the glohe, there being no
continent, and scarcely any large island, in which it has not a representative. Some of the species are
exceedingly well defined, while others assimilate to such a degree that it becomes extremely difficult to point
out their distinguishing characteristics. The range of the Strixflammea is generally considered to be a very
wide o n e ; and although the bird does not go to Australia, where several other species of the same form are
found, it certainly extends over all the temperate portions o f Europe, and many parts o f Africa, and Mr. Gurney
is of opinion that it is also fonnd in Madagascar. The American bird, formerly considered identical, has
lately been separated, and received a distinct specific appellation, on, I fear, very slender grounds. In India it
has not yet been detected, but, as in America, is there represented by a very nearly allied species. On the con-
tinent of Europe as in the British Islands, over every part of which the Barn-Owl is spread, barns, towers,
churches, hollow trees, and rocks are its habitual places o f abode; there, generally in pairs, it snonngly
sleeps through the day; on the approach of evening its slumbers terminate, and it sallies forth aud wings its
way noiselessly in search of food over the parson’s glebe, around the park o f the nobleman, the grass-field of
the farmer, and the open lieath, all of which constitute good hunting-grounds; wherever mice are plentiful
■ind insects abundant, there this nocturnal bird may be seen, and its | ill-omened I screech heard.
The enactment which passed through the Houses of Legislature in May 1869, for the protection of onr
beautiful rock-birds is considered by most persons a laudable o n e ; but ought we to stop here ? should
the feathered creatures of the ocean solely claim this attention? should not a like protection be accorded to
some of our equally interesting land-birds, and, among them, to the Barn-Owl? I fear that few gamekeepers
are real lovers of nature, or take an interest in the beautiful; if they were, they would never injure
this highly curious species; for the commonest observation would inform them that it is only during two
o r three weeks ill the spring that it can possibly do harm to the young game, that even then little
is effected, and that the remainder of the year is spent in the destruction of insects, reptiles, mice,
moles &c.' The short-tailed field-mouse, so destructive to the young trees o f our plantations, it often
devours by thousands—a fact with which every owner o f land ought to be acquainted. The late Mr. W aterloo
has shown most clearly the enormous number of our small quadrupeds a pair of Barn-Owls will destroy
in the course of sixteen months; and many other authors testily to the value of the bird's services in
keening in check the inordinate increase o f these mischievous little animals. The Barn-Owl is, m fact,
one o f the birds whose protection would not only be highly beneficial to us in an economic point of
view, but would add much to our pleasure, since we should then doubtless more frequently meet with
it during our evening rambles in the districts it frequents.
“ The Barn-Owl” says Macgillivray, “ chooses for his place o f repose some obscure nook in an old
building the steeple of a church, a tower, a dovecot, o r a hollow tree. There he remains from sunrise to
sunset in a nearly erect posture, with retracted neck and closed eyelids, dosing away the hours in which,
from the structure of his eyes, he is unable to perceive his prey, and waiting for the return o f tw,light. If
anproached in this state, instead o f flying off, he raises his feathers, hisses like an angry cat, clicks his bill,
and thus threatens the intruder. Should he by any accident be driven abroad, he seems dassled and bewildered
Incapable of distinctly perceiving 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. The appearance of an Owl in open day is a phenomenon that excites the curiosity
as well as hatred of many species of birds, even the smallest of which will gather around, ch.de and harass
him while the larger will not hesitate to attack him with their bills and wings. The Blue Tit, being
among the boldest of our little birds, takes a prominent part in these proceedings; and the Chaffinch, gentle
as it is distinguishes itself by its vociferous animosity. Sometimes this Owl reposes in the upper part of a
tree in a dense wood, or even in a th ick et; and should it be discovered in the latter situation by any of