NATURAL HISTORY. 



219 



Sub-family b. Bubonina. 



V 



I 



EPUIALTES. (Gr. proper name.) 



Scops (Gr. Z/ccjT/', an Owl), </te Scops Eared-owl. 



The Scors EARED-OWL has been once or twice found in 

 Yorkshire, but usually resides in the southern parts of the 

 Continent. It is remarkable for the regularity with which it 

 utters its monotonous cry, as if a person were constantly re- 

 peating the letter Q, at regular intervals of two seconds. It 

 does not seem to prey upon mice and other animals like most 

 of its relations, but feeds on large insects, such as beetles and 

 grasshoppers. The size of this owl is very small, as it only 

 measures seven inches in length ; the third primary feather is 

 the longest. It lays from two to four white eggs in a simple 

 nest made in a hollow tree or in a cleft in the rock. 



The GREAT EARED-OWL or EAGLE OWL, is the largest of the 

 family. This powerful bird, not satined with the " rats and 

 mice and such small deer" which content the English owls, 

 boldly attacks young fawns, hares and rabbits, together with 

 small birds. It inhabits the north of Europe, but has been 



