The TREE OWL (_Syrnium aluco_) is recognisable by its large head and
comparatively small ear-apertures, as well as by its thick neck, slender
body, short tail, thickly-feathered feet, and short toes. Deep grey or
reddish brown predominates in the coloration of the plumage; the back
being, as is usually the case, darker than the under parts of the body;
the wings are regularly marked with light spots; the nape, region of the
ear, face, beak, and tips of the toes are grey; the eye dark brown, and
the skin that surrounds it of a flesh-colour.
This species is frequently met with throughout the whole of Europe, if we
except its extreme north and south--it is but rarely seen in Spain, and
never, we believe, in some parts of Russia. Woodland districts are its
usual haunts, but it also occasionally seeks shelter among ruins, or even
in nooks of houses. During the summer it passes the day perched close
to the trunk of some old hollow tree, in the interior of which it hides
itself during the winter.
The movements of this species are extremely slow and heavy, and it
rarely rises above a few feet from the ground whilst seeking for the
mice upon which it subsists. It also devours noxious insects of various
kinds in considerable quantities, and thus renders important service
both to the gardener and farmer. Martin mentions his having found no
fewer than seventy-five large caterpillars in the stomach of a Tree
Owl that he had killed immediately after it had finished this very
substantial repast. In disposition it is dull, and more uninteresting
than almost any other bird with which we are acquainted. Its cry is a
loud, resonant "Hu, hu, hu," and often rings through the darkness like
a burst of demoniacal laughter. The breeding season commences about
April or May, and during that period these, at other times apathetic
sluggards, seem roused to something like animation, and make the woods
re-echo with their discordant note. The eggs, two or three in number,
are laid in cavities of trees, or sometimes in roofs or chimneys, upon a
slight bed of hair, wool, or moss; the deserted nest of some other bird
is also frequently employed for the reception of the young family. The
eggs are oval, rough-shelled, and white. The female alone broods, and is
meanwhile fed with great tenderness by her mate. Both parents are much
attached to their offspring. These birds may be readily tamed, and soon
become accustomed to those that feed them. Gadamer tells us that a Tree
Owl in his possession used to come out every evening and stand before
the open stove, stretching out its neck with every demonstration of keen
enjoyment.