Class II. SHORT EARED OWL: 205 



This is a bird of pafTage, and has been obferved 

 to vifit Lincolnjhire the beginning of OEloher^ and 

 to retire early in the fpring-, fo probably, as it 

 performs its migrations with the woodcock, its 

 flimmer retreat is Norway. During day it lies 

 hid in Jong old grafs •, when difturbed, it fel- 

 dom flies far, but will light and fit looking at 

 one, at which time the horns may be feen very 

 diilmdlly. It has not been obferved to perch on 

 trees, like other owls : it will alfo fly in fearch of 

 prey in cloudy hazy weather. Farmers are 

 fond of feeing thefe birds in their fiields, as they 

 clear them from mice. It is found frequently 

 on tte hill of Hoy in the Orkmes, where it flies 

 about and preys by day like a hawk. I have 

 alfo received this fpecies from Lancajhire^ which 

 i^ 3r hilly and wooded country : and my friends 

 have alfo fent it from New England and New- 

 foundland, 



The length of the fliort eared owl is fourteen Descrip. 

 inches : extent three feet : the head is fmall and 

 hawk-like : the bill is dufky : weight fourteen 

 ounces : the circle of feathers that immedlately- 

 furrounds the eyes is black : the larger circle 

 white, terminated with tawny and black : the fea- 

 thers on the head, back, and coverts of the wings 

 are brown edged with pale dull yellow : the breaft 

 and belly are of the fame color, marked with a 

 few long narrow flreaks of brown pointing down- 

 P 3 wards : 



