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NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE.
snipes breed; and multitudes of widgeons and teals in hard weather frequent our lakes in the forest.
The Common Crossbill.
Having some acquaintance with a tame brown owl, I find that it casts up the fur of mice, and the feathers of birds in pellets, after the manner of hawks; when full, like a dog, it hides what it cannot eat.
Miller's Thumb, or Bull's Head
The young of the barn-owl are not easily raised, as they want a constant supply of fresh mice; whereas the young of the brown owl will eat indiscriminately all that is brought; snails, rats, kittens, puppies, magpies, and any kind of carrion or offal.
