[Three Hundred Animals Contents]
IS nearly the largest of all Owls, and has two long horns growing from the top of his head, above his ears, and composed of six feathers, which he can raise or lay down at pleasure. The eyes are large, and encircled with an orange-coloured iris; the ears are large and deep, and the beak black; the breast, belly, and thighs, are of a dull yellow, marked with brown streaks; the back, coverts of the wings, and quill feathers, are brown and yellow; and the tail is marked with dusky and red bars. He inhabits the north and west of England and Wales. The organ of sight in this bird, as well as in all other Owls, is so peculiarly conformed, and so much in its nature resembling that of the feline kind, that this creature can much better see at dusk than by day-light, but in total darkness they do not see well. The Barn Owl sees in a greater degree of darkness than the others; and on the contrary, the Horned Owl is enabled to pursue his prey by day, but with difficulty. Gray, in his beautiful “Elegy in a Country Church Yard,” expresses himself in the following manner:
– from yonder ivy-mantled tow’r
The moping owl does to the moon complain
Of such, who, wand’ring near ber secret bow’r,
Molest her ancient solitary reign.