The Short-eared Owl is about a foot in height. The horns of this species are much shorter than those of the Long-eared Owl. Its length is about fifteen inches; its plumage is russet, shaded with grey and brown. It has a black bill and claws, and beautiful yellow eyes. It inhabits hollows in rocks or dead trees, and old ruined houses, and sometimes installs itself in nests left vacant by Magpies, Ravens and Buzzards. This Owl being very fond of Mice, which form its principal food, all that is necessary to attract it to a snare is to imitate the cry of those Rodents. It also feeds on Moles, and, in cases of emergency, even on Frogs, Toads, Leverets and young Rabbits. Its nest has been found in a Rabbit hole. This Bird displays much courage in the defence of its young when it thinks them in danger, and does not even fear to attack Man. Its cry is a kind of low moaning, which it frequently utters during the night. The Scops-eared Owl is remarkable for its small size, which does not exceed that of the Thrush; and for its horns, which are perfectly formed of a single feather. These Owls are more sociable than the others, and they are of great service to the farmers in destroying field Mice. Bats and large insects are also favorite food for these Birds, and when these are scarce, they will eat Fish, and may then be seen hovering over ponds and rivers, seizing the Fish when they come to the surface of the water. HORNLESS OWLS. The Hornless Owls are much like the others with the exception of their smooth round heads, without any projecting feathers to form curious ears and horns. There are many species in this group, the principal ones being the Snow Owls, the Barn or Screech Owls, the Hawk or Canada Owls, Brown or Tawny Owls, Ural Owls, Burrowing Owls, and Sparrow Owls. The Barn or Screech Owls are among the best known of the family, as they are found in nearly all parts of the globe. The White Owl, or Snow Owl, sometimes called the Harfang, may also be found in all parts of North America, Europe and Asia. Its plumage is a brilliant white, with some black spots on the head. This color is well suited to the nature of the places in which it lives, for it sometimes inhabits the most desolate solitudes of North America, Newfoundland, Hudson’s Bay, Greenland and Iceland; and its color harmonizes so well with its surroundings that it can traverse almost unseen, the immense deserts of snow in search of its prey. THE FALCON FAMILY. The Falcon tribe form the most important group of the Diurnal Birds of Prey—or those that hunt during the day. They usually feed on living animals, also there are some species of this family that will feed like the Vultures on putrid flesh. The Diurnal Birds of Prey are divided into three different families—the Falcons, the Vultures and the Serpent Eaters.