Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/412

384 found it to be that of a heron (Ardea cinerea). It contained a few beautiful blue eggs.

Note on the Habits of the Barn Owl. Some time ago I had a very favourable opportunity of observing the habits of the barn owl during the breeding season. For four years in succession a pair of these birds resorted, during the breeding season, to a hollow tree, not more than thirty yards from my house. During the time of incubation one of the old birds generally reposed during the day on a beam in the church porch, which was almost adjoining, and when disturbed flew to a short distance. Whenever I saw it, it was sitting perfectly upright. Soon after the young were hatched, two distinct sounds might be heard from the nest during great part of the day; the one exactly resembling the deep breathing of a person in a sound sleep, the other that of a person loudly snoring: both sounds ceased as soon as the inhabitants became aware that any one was near. As the young birds increased in growth, one or more might frequently be seen towards the afternoon at the entrance of the cavity; they were always silent, but the same sounds were still audible from the nest. On approaching them at this time, their look of extreme surprise, and the awkward solemnity with which they withdrew from observation, was ludicrous. Soon after five in the evening the old birds commenced their search for food for their family, which appeared to consist chiefly of mice. I have watched them often sailing slowing over the fields and along the hedge-rows. Upon seeing a mouse, they dropped upon it in an instant, and having secured it, returned immediately to the nest, passing frequently within a few yards of me. I noticed that one or other of the parent birds returned with food to the nest at intervals of from five to seven or eight minutes, during the whole evening. The prey was always carried in the foot, which was allowed to hang down, giving an odd appearance to the bird while on wing, but as soon as it reached the tree it was transferred to the beak. I once saw the transfer made while the bird was flying. The general number of young brought up during the time I observed them was four. When once they left the nest I saw no more of them; the old birds remained, but the young ones seemed to leave the immediate neighbourhood. I never knew them produce a second brood in the year.—John AthinsonAtkinson [sic]; Layer Marney Rectory, Kelvedon, Essex, October 21, 1843.