large Ringtail, and soared high over the hills. The eggs were all ju st chipped by the approaching extrusion
of the young. I took one of the eggs, to see the development of the ch ick ; it was quite naked, but the bill
perfectly formed. The keeper tells me that the whole six eggs were laid twenty-seven days a g o ; therefore
it must take about thirty days to hatch them.”
oo 1 3 3 . C ir c u s c i n e r a s c e n s ........................................................................................................................ .............. Vol. I PI. XXVII.
A sh - co lo u r ed H a r r ie r .
Although I have called this species by the above appellation, it is far better known to British ornithologists
by the trivial name o f Montagu’s Harrier. The wings of this bird are long and curved ; and its large
fan-shaped tail, crossed by numerous chestnut-coloured bars, must render it very conspicuous during flight.
Judging from the result o f my own observations, I should say that this is the commonest o f the Harriers,
and that it is certainly the one most universally dispersed over our islands. Its breeding-places have been
found more frequently in Cornwall and other southern and western counties than elsewhere. So widely does
this bird range that it is to be found in most of the countries between Europe and China.
I have mentioned that reptiles form no inconsiderable portion of the food o f the H a rrie rs ; and in confirmation
I may quote the following passage from a letter addressed to me by my friend Mr. Gatcombe, on the
3rd of May, 1872:— “ A few days since, I had a fine old male Montagu’s Harrie r brought to me. I t was
killed on D a rtm o o r; and from its crop and stomach I took no less than fourteen lizards, o f two kinds, all
nearly perfect, and each full 6 inches long.”
Family STRIGIDiE.
In round numbers there are about 200 different species of Owls distributed over the surface o f the globe,
only twelve of which were known to Linnaeus, by whom they were included in one genus, Stria. The entire
group are now divided into two great divisions, Nocturni and Diurni, and these again into minor subfamilies,
genera, and subgenera, ju st as the ornithologist may please to consider them. In Englaud there are ten
species, belonging to as many genera. As might be supposed, so large a family o f birds vary in size from
that of a small Eagle to that o f a Sparrow. So extensively are they distributed over the world, that it is
almost only in the arctic and antarctic regions that they are not found. They are fewest in New Zealand
and Polynesia, and are perhaps more abundant in Australia than elsewhere, not less than six species of true
Stria inhabiting th at country, besides others pertaining to different genera, all o f which find a ready means
of subsistence in the many small anomalous quadrupeds o f th at anomalous section o f the earth’s surface.
The excess in the numbers of the White o r Barn Owls, as we call our bird, doubtless keeps a wholesome
check upon the undue increase of the small animals alluded to. How strange (is it not ?) that the neighbouring
country o f New Zealand should be destitute of small mammals and of White Owls! But this is not
the place to enter into a disquisition on the subject; let us proceed to an enumeration o f the Owls of our
own country.
Genus S t r ix .
34. S t r ix f l a m m e a ...............................................................................................................................................Vol. I. PI. XXVIII.
B arn-O w l .
A strictly nocturnal species, living principally upon mice, insects, and reptiles. Distributed over the three
kingdoms and Europe generally. The slight damage attributed to this bird is far over-balanced by the good
it effects in the destruction of obnoxious animals.
Genus S y rn ium .
35. Syrnium ..............................................................................................................................Vol. I. PI. XXIX.
T awny or B rown O w l .
Distributed over Englaud and Scotland, but extremely rare in Ireland, if, indeed, it ever occurs there.
Lives on mice, rats, moles, and other small quadrupeds; the edges of ponds, too, are frequently examined
for any fish that may expose themselves, which it readily seizes. The less its general character is examined
the better for its reputation; for, truth to tell, it is a stealthy thief, and commits great depredation among
young game, robs the keeper's pens, and does not disdain a chicken; in fact, in its prowling habits it is not
surpassed by any other species. It is a bird but seldom seen, either by day or nig h t; and were it not for its
merry hoot, uttered in the stillness of the evening, its presence and whereabouts would not be easily
detected. I t doubtless destroys rats, weasels, and young rabbits in abundance; and this is about all the
good it can be said to effect. Besides our islands, the other parts of Europe are constantly frequented by
this bird; but for any further particulars respecting-it and its habits I must refer the reader to my account
of the species accompanying the plate.
Genus B ubo .
The birds of this genus are but few in number; and of these only one favours Britain with its presence;
but that one is the finest o f the whole.
36. B ubo maximus ^
E agle O w l .
This truly magnificent Owl, which is not surpassed in size or beauty by any member of its family, is a