Family BUBONIDAE. 



Athene noctua (Scopoli) — Little Owl. 



(Plate 95, fig. a-c). 

 (Snouckaert: Avifauna Neerlandica, p. 61, No. 145). 



Colour of surface of shell 



Average dimensions: 

 Average weight of shell : 

 Texture of shell: 

 Shape : 

 Nest: 



Site of nest: 



Number of eggs: 

 Breeding season: 

 Duration of incubation: 

 Remarks : 



white, when light shines through the eggshell 

 it is somewhat yellowish. 



33.9 X 28.3 millimetres. 



1.2 gram. 



see the general review of the Family. 



short oval. 



none is made ; the eggs lie on decayed wood, 

 fragments of bricks and mortar, etc. 



in hollow trees, especially in pollard willows, 

 in old walls, towers, etc. ; also in rabbit 

 holes. 



usually 4—5, sometimes 6—7. 



May. 



about 16 days. 



Of round-shaped dwarf eggs of Gallus do- 

 mesticus, of which eggs of Athene noc- 

 tua (Scopoli) remind us, the texture of 

 the thicker shell, which when light pene- 

 trates through, is of a light reddish 

 yellow, is quite different; the pores are 

 also different. 



