Volume 20, Plate XXVIII / Ornithology (Birds)

Tawny Owl

Ulula stridula

Strictly arboreal, the Tawny Owl delights in gloomy pine and evergreen woods, sheltering and breeding in hollow trees or deserted crow and magpie nests, laying three or four nearly round pure white eggs. Less shy than the Long-eared Owl and very defective of sight in bright day, it utters at night the peculiar modulated hootings that have bred superstition; a powerful bird, it takes prey as large as young hares and rabbits.