B A U N - O W L .
STRIX FLAMMEA.
Tin; Ibirn-Owl is generally distributed over the southern portions of Great Britain. It occurs less frequently
towards the north, while in tin- Highlands not more than a dozen specimens hare come under my observation.
Large numliers of this quaint-look!ng bin! i n killed down without the slightest cause or reason. A visit
to the shops of the local staffers in any country town will plainly show the mi w i l l slaughter to which this
useful species is exposed. An inspection of the immense quanlities of pellrts thrown up by these Owls in their
resting-places would speedily convince those who might he inclined to doubt the fact lhat the benefit! they
confer on farmers by the destruction of small vermin are by no means imaginary. The apertures left in
mauy old-fashioned barns for the accommodation of the Owl indicates that cur ancestors were better acquainted
with (he habits of the bird and anxious to encourage it to take up its quarters on their premises. I have now
and then heard farmers, even at the present day, insisting lhat these in off ensile birds regularly destroyed
their Pigeons, and also bringing other impossible charges against them. From my own experience, I have no
hesitation in slating that this is one of the most harmless as well as the most useful of all our British lords.
This Owl is decidedly nocturnal in its habits, seldom making its appearance abroad during ilavlight. unless
disturbed from its resting-place. If driven beyond the outskirts of the wood it frequents, oc the shelter of ils
haunt in the baru or church, it soon collects a mob of excited small birds to follow in its track. Shortly
before dusk one afternoon during the winter of 1881, my attention was attracted to a commotion created
by four or five Grey Crows which were Hying over a fir-plan Lit ion in the cast of Norfolk, screaming loudly, and
occasionally darting down among the trees. I soon discovered the cause of their anger when a White *)wl,
which had left his quarters in a neighbouring church-tower rather before the accustomed hour, Happed out
from the cover. lie, however, appeared to pay but little hiisl to the noisy demonstration of the I Iron s, as,
after continuing his uncertain flight for some distance over the adjacent marshes, he again entered the wood,
where he continued searching for prey, utterly regardless of the mobbing of the Crows. I noticed that these
birds took not the slightest notice uf a Short-eared Owl which was hunting over the rushes close at hand.
Possibly they were used to the sight of their constant companion the Marsh-Owl (as tins species is termed in
the district), and considered his white relative an unwelcome stranger
For building-purposes ibis Owl resorts to hollow trees, church-towers, old barns, and ruined building-.
The same situation is made use of year after year, unless the tenants are forcibly evicted or destroyed.
In different localities I have heard various unlues given lo this species lis most common title, perhaps, is
the llarn-Owl; but it is also kuowu as the White, Screech, and ChurchOwi
The Plate shows a young bird partly feathered, with the slightly reduced figure of an old male in the
background. The sketch is taken from a family group I disturbed in the bell-tower of Chiltmgton church,
near ITunipton. in Sussex.
Al limes I have found the young birds composing a brood to vary considerably in size; in this instance,
however, there was but little dilfcrenee between t he whole of tie' juvenile members of the family.