The EUROPEAN SPARROW OWL (_Microptynx passerina_) is the species we have
selected as a type of the above group. Its length does not exceed six
inches and a half, and its breadth fifteen and a half; the female is
about an inch longer and one inch and a half broader than her mate. The
body of this bird is slender, its head small, the beak powerful, and much
curved and incised upon the margin of the upper mandible. The wing, in
which the third and fourth quills are the longest, is short, the tail of
moderate size, the foot short and thickly feathered, the facial disc is
but slightly developed. The upper part of the body is mouse grey, spotted
with white, the belly white, marked longitudinally with brown, the face
of a mottled greyish white, the beak greyish, and the eye bright yellow;
the tail is adorned with four, and the wing with several white lines. The
female is of a darker hue than her mate, and has two dark lines under the
eyes; brown predominates in the coloration of the young.
Although very numerous in the northern parts of Europe, and by no means
rare in the central portion, this species is constantly overlooked, by
reason of the smallness of its size, and because as it flies by day,
and has a cry unlike that of most of its family, ordinary observers do
not recognise it to be what it is--a Dwarf Owl; its habits, therefore,
have been but little remarked, and it is seldom met with either in
ornithological collections or in aviaries. Those few writers who have
been at the trouble of making themselves acquainted with this most
interesting bird, describe it as being agile, cunning, and active as a
Parrot, as it hops about among the branches of trees in pursuit of the
insects upon which it mainly subsists; it also consumes mice and small
birds, plucking the latter carefully before devouring them. It is not
uncommon to see this lively little Owl hopping about the Scandinavian
villages when the snow lies heavy upon its haunts in the forest. It
is easily summoned from the trees by those who can imitate its simple
call-note, and may often by this means be led to a considerable distance.
When perched its body appears to be far more slender in proportion to its
size than that of other species, and Naumann describes its small broad
face as looking more like that of an ape, than presenting the cat-like
appearance with which we are all familiar in the generality of Owls. Its
flight is rapid and undulating. The eggs are deposited in holes of trees,
from the inmost recesses of which the voices of the parents may sometimes
be heard as they summon each other. The hole is usually lined with a bed
of moss and dry leaves, and upon this the eggs are deposited; these have
a thick, smooth, white shell, are oval in shape, and about an inch long.
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE UHU AT BAY.]
The EARED OWLS or UHUS (_Bubones_) constitute a group distinguished by a
tuft of feathers growing behind each ear, and presenting the appearance
of a pair of horns. The size of these birds varies considerably, some
being very large while others are comparatively diminutive. In all the
head is bulky, the wings blunt, the tail short and nearly straight at
its extremity, the feet of moderate size and covered with feathers. The
plumage, which is thick and lax, is composed of broad feathers. The beak
is thick and slightly curved, the claws very long and much hooked; the
eye is large, flat, and of a bright yellow; the tufts behind the ears of
no great size, and the feathers upon the face only slightly developed.
Several species of Uhu are found in Southern Africa, but the northern
portions of our globe must be regarded as their actual home, from whence
they wander forth occasionally to other regions, but live and breed for
the most part in their native lands. All are _nocturnal_ Birds of Prey,
and pass the entire day in such localities as afford them shelter from
the sun, whose rays they studiously avoid, though they see with ease in
the daylight. The larger species of Uhus live alone or in pairs, but the
smaller are constantly met with in considerable flocks, except during
the breeding season. These birds exhibit an extraordinary degree of good
fellowship towards their congeners, and many touching stories have been
told of their kindly behaviour towards each other; they are, however,
inferior to the Diurnal Owls as regards their activity and intelligence.