Hornless Owls.
The family of Hornless Owls is distinguished from the Horned group by the absence of projecting feathers on their heads. They comprehend several species, the principal of which are Sparrow Owls (Strix passerina, Aud.), Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia), Barn or Screech Owls (Strix flammea), Hawk Owls (Surnia funerea), Ural Owls (Surnia uralensis), and Snow Owls (Surnia nictea).
Sparrow Owls are of small size; their facial disk is incomplete; the tarsi are elongated; the claws bare or slightly hairy; their tails short and square. There are numerous species, of which we shall only notice the principal.
The Common Sparrow Owl, which is very numerous in France, and, in fact, through the whole of Europe, is about the size of a Thrush. It inhabits old ruins and quarries, but never lives in the hollows of trees; therefore it rarely makes its abode in the woods. Its nature is much less nocturnal than that of its congeners, and it is often seen pursuing small birds in broad daylight, though probably with but little success. Its general food consists of mice, which it tears in pieces before eating, as it is unable to swallow them whole. It also very skilfully plucks the feathers from birds which become its victims. In winter, when the snow is on the ground, it devours the filth deposited in the farm-yards. Like the Scops, it delights in following persons who pass its retreat, especially at the break of dawn. When flying it utters a cry, poopoo, poopoo! which it substitutes, when perched, for a sound very like the voice of a young Frenchman saying aime, heme, esme! Buffon relates a curious anecdote on this subject:—"I was sleeping in an old tower of the Château of Montbard, when a little before daybreak, at three o'clock in the morning, a Sparrow Owl came and perched on the window-seat of my chamber, and woke me by its cry of heme, edme. As I listened to this voice, which seemed to me all the more singular as it was so near, I heard one of my servants, who was sleeping in a room above, open his window, and, deceived by the well-articulated sound of edme, answer the bird: 'Who is down there? My name is not Edme, but Peter.' The servant actually believed that it was a man calling, so much did the voice of the Owl resemble that of a human being, and so distinctly did it articulate the word."
The bird-catchers of Tessin employ the Sparrow Owl for enticing birds into their nests. If taken when very young it is easily tamed, and shows itself sensible of attention. M. Bailly possessed one which exhibited much satisfaction when rubbed on the breast, back, or head. It would remain perfectly immovable, sometimes on its chest, and sometimes on its back, showing in every way the pleasure it felt.
In Northern Italy this bird is reared in captivity; it feeds on mice, and even eats fruit and polenta. M. Gérard relates that he reared a Sparrow Owl, which became so tame that it willingly allowed itself to be caressed at any moment of the day. It destroyed a great many insects, and ate everything that was given it, but showed such a very decided taste for raw meat that it sometimes, without letting go its hold, hung suspended to a morsel of intestine for more than ten minutes. It was on the best of terms with the cat of the house; and they were often found lying close together in the same basket. The dog was never able to gain the bird's affections; and a Raven, which lived in the house by the same right as the Owl, was cordially hated by it. It showed much irritation at the sight of other birds, even if they were only stuffed ones; and when able to obtain possession of them, carried them into a corner and plucked off their feathers at leisure. It also delighted in rolling in the dust.
A more diminutive species still, the Small Sparrow Owl, inhabits the northern part of the two continents, and sometimes ventures as far south as Germany. Its plumage, which is ash-coloured above, below the chest is dazzling white, marked with black spots. It has a white stripe round the front of its neck.
The Pampas Sparrow Owl is found in South America, and is no bigger than a Thrush. This bird, though so small, has strongly-developed bloodthirsty instincts; for it slips under the wings of poultry, and kills them by tearing open their sides.
Buffon classes with this species a variety which inhabits the Cape of Good Hope, and is endowed with magnificent plumage, red and black partly mixed with grey. The colonists tame it, and use it to keep their houses clear of mice.
The Burrowing Owl derives its name from the place in which it makes its nest. This bird is about the size of a Pigeon, and frequents the immense plains, or pampas, of South America, and the prairies of North America. The burrows, however, it does not dig itself, but simply takes possession of those belonging to other animals, after having driven them away by its disgusting odour. This mode of conquering a territory, although of a peaceful character, is, to say the least of it, singular.
Burrowing Owls do not confine themselves to going out in the evening and morning. They love the light of day, and willingly seek their food even when the sun is vertical. It is a curious fact that this bird lives in association with beings with which it has no natural tie, such as the prairie dog, a sort of marmot peculiar to the New World. Captain Francis Head, an English traveller, who one day came across a flock of these creatures thus living together, depicts their attitude as follows:—
"Towards the evening the prairie dogs keep outside their burrows, with a serious look on their faces, like grave and reflective philosophers or moralists. During the day the entrance to the subterranean burrow is guarded by two Owls, which never quit their post. While the travellers were galloping over the plain the Owls continued their duty as sentries, looking them full in the face, and one after the other shaking their venerable heads in a way which was most ludicrous on account of its solemnity. When the horsemen came near them the two sentinels lost much of their dignified look, and darted hurriedly into the burrows."
This Owl feeds on rats, reptiles, and insects. It is gentle, and may be easily tamed, and is sometimes kept for the purpose of destroying vermin.
The birds which are comprised in the genus of Barn or Screech Owls have a complete facial disk, and short tarsi feathered down to the claws. They are as large, and even larger than the Short-eared Owl.
The first of this group is the Tawny Owl, or Howlet, commonly called the Wood Owl. One of its names is derived from its cry, hoo-oo-oo! which resembles the howling of a wolf, and caused the Romans to call it Ulula, from ululare, to howl.
The Tawny Owl has a large head, and is about fourteen inches in height. It inhabits the woods during the summer, and conceals itself in the thickest bushes or the old trunks of trees. It remains hidden all day, only going out in the morning and evening to hunt small birds and field-mice, its favourite prey. In the winter it approaches human habitations, and even ventures into barns to catch rats and mice; but it retires to its hiding-place as soon as day begins to dawn.
At the beginning of autumn, the education of its young ones being completed, this bird takes up its abode in damp places, where it can catch frogs and reptiles, to which it is very partial. During that season Woodcock shooters often flush them.
Like many individuals of the same family, the Barn Owl will lay its eggs in strange nests, such as those of Ravens, Magpies, and Buzzards, or even in a dovecot. The young ones are very voracious. Before they are strong enough to stand upon their feet they will support themselves on their stomachs, and, holding their prey in their claws, tear it to pieces with their bills; when they become stronger, they stand on one leg, and use the other to convey food to their mouths.
This Owl has a gentle disposition, and is easily tamed; it knows its master perfectly well, and calls to him for food by uttering low cries. It is found scattered all over Europe, and frequently in Scotland.
As stormy weather has a great effect on animals' calling, and this dark variety is more frequently found in northern and stormy regions than the lighter-coloured, many authorities erroneously consider the Screech and Barn Owls different birds.
The Common Barn Owl is found over a great portion of Europe, but in France it is rare. There are several varieties of this bird; the one best known in England has the following characteristics:—Its plumage is agreeably variegated with yellow, white, grey, and brown, and is more pleasing than that of any of the other Nocturnals. The eggs, which are elliptical, are generally five in number, sometimes six or seven, and are deposited in holes in walls, or hollow places in rocks and old trees; but the bird does not take the trouble to line these holes with grass or leaves. It is but seldom it takes possession of the nests of other birds, although stories are told of its driving away the Martins from their retreats, and installing itself therein, having first considerately devoured the young.
Fig. 277.—Barn Owl (Strix flammea, Yarrell).
Children, women, and even men who are silly enough to believe in ghosts and sorcerers, look upon the Barn Owl as a bird of ill omen, and as a messenger of death. All these prejudices are really very foolish, for few birds are of more service. They destroy a vast quantity of vermin which are injurious to agriculture, and therefore have a good claim to protection. When the Owl has young ones to feed, rats and mice are exterminated without either truce or mercy. As rapidly as they can be caught they are carried to the nest; and each of the pellets of bone and hair which are thrown up from its stomach is composed of at least six or seven skeletons. Dr. Franklin collected, in the space of sixteen months, a whole bushel measure of these pellets, all proceeding from a couple of Barn Owls.
Farmers are in error when they accuse the Barn Owl of destroying their Pigeons' eggs. The real culprits are the rats. When an Owl makes its appearance in the vicinity of a dovecot, the proper course of conduct is to give it a kind reception and to protect it, for its only object in coming is to obtain shelter for a time, and, during its stay, to destroy rats or mice, the real scourges of the pigeon-house.
When the Barn Owl finds a deficiency of food it has recourse to fishing. It may then be seen diving perpendicularly on to the water to capture fish which are floating upon the surface.
The Chinese and Tartars pay special reverence to the Owl, in memory of a fact which well deserves to be recorded. Gengis Khan, the founder of their empire, having been put to flight by his enemies, was one day compelled to take refuge in a wood, and an Owl which came and perched in the thicket in which he had hidden himself was the sole cause of his escaping the pursuit of his foes; for those who were searching for him very naturally omitted to explore the bushes in which he was concealed, thinking that it was impossible that a covert should at the same time shelter both an Owl and a man. Thus, thanks to the intervention of the bird, Gengis Khan was saved from his foes. In memory of this event the Chinese were in the habit of wearing on their heads an Owl's feather. Certain tribes of the Calmucs have an idol representing an Owl.
Fig. 278.—The Canada or Hawk Owl (Surnia funerea, Yarrell).
The Canada Owl ([Fig. 278]) is common in North America, and especially in Canada. It appears casually in the North of Europe, in Sweden and Norway. Its plumage is of a greyish-brown colour. It feeds on hares, rabbits, rats, mice, reptiles, and birds; it is about fifteen inches high. Audubon often had an opportunity of examining it.
"Its cry," says he, "is a waah, waahha, which one is tempted to compare with the affected laugh of a votary of fashion. Often in my distant excursions, when encamped under the trees, and roasting a slice of venison or a squirrel by means of a wooden spit, I have been greeted with the laughter of this nocturnal disturber. It stopped at a few paces from me, exposing its whole body to the gleam of my fire, and looking at me in such an odd way, that had I not feared to make a fool of myself in my own eyes, I should have politely invited him to come and partake of my supper. This bird visits Louisiana, and is met with in all the most isolated woods even in open day. If it appears likely to rain, it laughs louder than ever; its waah, waahha, penetrates into the most remote recesses of the woods, and its comrades answer it in strange and discordant tones: one might almost think that the Owl nation was celebrating some extraordinary fête."
Audubon adds that when you approach one of these birds it thoroughly scrutinises you, assuming at the same time the most grotesque attitudes. If any one fires at it and misses, it flies away, but stops at a little distance and utters its mocking cry.
The name Hawk Owls has been given to this genus, as it serves as a transition from the Nocturnal to the Diurnal birds of prey. In fact, although, by their general shape and physical conformation, they evidently belong to the former, they are also connected with the latter by their habits and mode of hunting, which are very like those of the Sparrow-hawk; hence their name. They are easily recognised by their long and tapering tail, and by their free and bold gait. They form a very characteristic group, and the species, which are four in number, present but little diversity.
The White Owl (Surnia nictea), the Strix nictea of Foster, can be tamed; but it must not be closely confined. It requires both air and space to move about at will. Under these conditions it constitutes a useful auxiliary to the farmer, and will advantageously take the place of several cats. But if it is kept in a cage it refuses food, and dies after a few days' captivity.
The White Owl may be found in all parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. There are two varieties of it: one in Java, the Calong Owl; the other in Mexico and the Antilles. These two species differ but little from the Common White Owl, and are characterised by nearly the same habits.
The Caparacoch Owl, called by Buffon the Great Canadian Sparrow Owl, measures about fifteen inches. In summer it feeds upon small rodents and insects; in winter, on Ptarmigan, which it accompanies in their migrations from the South to the North. It will sometimes pounce down on the game which is killed by the sportsman, and, if care is not taken, will carry it off. It is a native of the Arctic regions, especially those of America. Sometimes it penetrates as far as Germany, but rarely makes its appearance in France.
The Harfang Owl, improperly called by some naturalists the King of the Owls, attains to about twenty-two inches in height; that is, to nearly the size of the Great Horned Owl. With the exception of the Lapland or Ash-coloured Owl, which measures two feet, this is the largest among the Owls. Its plumage is a brilliant white, with some black spots on the head. This colour is well suited to the nature of the places in which the Harfang lives. This bird inhabits the most desolate solitudes to the north of America: Newfoundland, Hudson's Bay, and Greenland. It is also found in Iceland and the neighbouring islands, but is only accidentally seen in England and France. Thanks to its colour, which harmonises so perfectly with all around, it is enabled to traverse almost unseen the immense deserts of snow, and thus has great facilities for surprising its prey, which consists of Hazel Hens, Ptarmigan, Grouse, Hares, and Rabbits. Owing to its abundant plumage and thick down, it is able to brave the inclemency of a climate that would be fatal to any creature less amply protected.
The fact is attested by the statement of Captain Parry, of Arctic-region notoriety, that this bird frequently dies of starvation. Sometimes it shows so much audacity and greediness that it is impossible to entertain any doubt on the subject of its hunger, as it will pounce on the game shot by the sportsman, totally disregarding human presence.
The Lapland and the Ural Owls have the same habits as the Harfang, only their geographical distribution is less extended. Mr. Gould regards the latter as one of the rarest European Owls. As their names indicate, they are peculiar to certain countries. Neither have they the dazzling whiteness of the Harfang Owl; and this is the characteristic which specially distinguishes them from the latter.
We may class in the same genus two exotic species discovered by Levaillant. These are the Choucou, which is a native of Africa, and the Huhul Owl of Guiana, which hunts its prey in open day.