History of British animals - University of Guam Marine Laboratory

Aluco. BIRDS. ACCIPITRES. 51They have the face dark coloured. This owl pursues, in dark weather, pigeons,moorfowl, and plovers. Feeds likewise on mice and small birds. From the testimonyof Mr Low, it breeds in Orkney, but, in the middle districts of Scotbandand England, it appears in harvest, and departs in spring, frequentingstubble-fields and long grass.When disturbed it flies but to a short distance.Gen. XV. ALUCO.Barn-Owl.— Lower part of the tarsiand toes thinlyclothed with white hairs.29. A.Jlammeus. — Bill white, claws dusky.A. minor, Will. Orn. 6G. Slbb. Scott. 15—White Owl, Perm. i. 200—Strix flammea, Tcmm. Orn. i. 91— Church-Owl, Hissing-Owl, Screech-Owl W, Dylluan wen ; G, Cailleach-ordhche gheal —Near housesand old ruins.— Common.Length 14, breadth 3(5 inches; weight 12 ounces. Plumage, above, paleyellowish-brown, with interrupted streaks of dusky and grey, and dusky freckles.Beneath white. First and second quill-feathers of equal length. Websnc'. abbreviated. This species breeds in steeples and old ruins, or trees. Eggs,3 or 4, of a white colour. Young, easily tamed. Feeds on mice, and is usefulabout barns. Devours the shrew. Makes a noise by hissing and snappingits bill. Besides throughout the year.Gen. XVI. BUBO. Eagle-Owl. — Toes closely coveredwith feathers.30. B. maximus.— Second and third quill-feathers longest.Bubo, Will. Orn. 63—B. max, Sibb. Scot. 15. Eagle-Owl, Penn. Brit.Zool. i. 202 NeilVs Tour in Orkney, p. 195—Strix bubo, ( Linn.)Temm. i. 100.— IV, y Ddylluan fawr—In England and Scotland, rare.Length 2 feet, bill and claws dusky ; irides orange. Plumage above, wavedwith black and yellow ;beneath yellow, with black stripes. Throat white,a character peculiar to the male. Breeds in rocks. Eggs 3, round and white.It occurs in Orkney, where it preys, according to Mr Neill, on rabbits andmoorfowl. It has been shot in different places of England, but may be consideredrare, and probably nothing more than a straggler.Gen. XVII. SCOPS.—Feet naked.31. S. Aldrovandi.— Bill black, irides yellow.Will. Orn. G5 Little Horned-Owl, Mont. Orn. Diet. Supp Strix Scops,Temm. Orn. i. 103 Yorkshire, Mr Fothergill ;and Mr Folgamble.Bare.Length 1\ inches. Plumage variegated with dusky, rufous, brown andgrey ; the brown predominating above the grey beneath. Quills transverselybarred with rufous-white. Feathers on the legs rufous-grey. Tarsi and clawsbrown. Horns and head brown, with black dots. Breeds in rocks. Eggs 2to 4, of a white colour. Though not uncommon on the Continent of Europe,it must be regarded as little else than a straggler in Britain.Gen. XVIII. STRIX.—Feet closelyfeathered.32. S. stridula. Ivy-Owl.— Bill pale horn-coloured, iridesand claws dusky.