IS one of the largest of the Owls, and has two long tufts growing from the top of its head, above its ears, and composed of six feathers, which it can raise or lay down at pleasure. Its eyes are large, and encircled with an orange-coloured iris; the ears are large and deep, and the beak black; the breast, belly, and thighs, are of a dull yellow, marked with brown streaks; the back, coverts of the wings, and quill feathers, are brown and yellow; and the tail is marked with dusky and red bars. It inhabits the north and west of England, and Wales. The conformation of the organ of sight in the Owl is so peculiar, and so much in its nature resembling that of the feline kind, that it can see much better at dusk than by daylight. The Barn Owl sees in a greater degree of darkness than the others; and, on the contrary, the Horned Owl is enabled to pursue his prey by day, though with difficulty. Owls are sometimes tamed by persons in the country, who carefully rear them in a domestic state, from their propensity to chase and devour mice and other vermin, of which they clear the houses with as much address as cats. The Owl is a solitary bird, and is said to retire into holes in towers and old walls in the winter, and pass that season in sleep. “The solitary bird of night, Through the pale shade now wings his flight, And quits the time-shook tower; Where, shelter’d from the blaze of day, In philosophic gloom he lay, Beneath his ivy bower.” CARTER. [Illustration: THE HARFANG, OR GREAT SNOWY OWL.] THE HARFANG, or GREAT SNOWY OWL, (_Surnia nyctea_,) is another species which takes its prey occasionally by daylight. It is seldom seen in England, but frequently visits North Britain, particularly the Orkney and Shetland Islands. It is one of the few Owls that feed on fish, into which it strikes its talons while in the water, and carries them off to its nest. These Owls are very common in the northern parts of North America, and are eaten not only by the Indians, but by the Europeans engaged in the fur trade. [Illustration: THE WHITE, BARN, OR SCREECH OWL. (_Srix flammea._)] “---- from yonder ivy-mantled tower, The moping Owl does to the moon complain Of such as, wandering near her secret bower, Molest her ancient solitary reign.” GRAY.