62 British Birds^ 



TENGMALM'S O'^l^—^Nyctala Tengmalmi ; 

 formerly, Noctua Teiiginalmi\ 



LONG-EARED 0^\^—{Asio otus ; formerly, 

 Otus vulgaris). 



Met with, though not very abundantly, in most 

 parts of England. Its haunt during the day-time is 

 in ivy bushes, or other retreats affording security from 

 the access of much light; its nest is most frequently an 

 appropriated old nest of the Crow or Magpie ; per- 

 haps even what was once the breeding-home of the 

 Squirrel ; and in it are laid four or five eggs \\\ inch 

 long, by 1^\ inch broad. It seeks its prey after sun- 

 set ; and as birds of various kinds are known to form 

 part of its food, it seems almost certain that they must 

 be taken as they sit at roost. What sad bug-a-boos 

 Horned Owls must be made to offending juveniles in 

 little-bird nurseries. 



SHORT-EARED OWL— (^j-/^ accipitrinus ; 

 formerly, Otus brachyotus). 



Woodcock Owl, Short-horned Howie t. Mouse Hawk, 

 Hawk Owl. — It breeds with us, and not uncommonly; 

 and many seem to come over in the autumn, and they 

 are then frequently seen in a stubble, or otherwise 

 roused by the sportsman. Its nest is sometimes on 

 the ground, and perhaps even in a rabbit-burrow. 

 The eggs are three in number, and scarcely differ the 

 least in size from those of the bird last named. 

 Young Grouse and other birds breeding about the 

 moors are abundantly supplied by the parent Owls to 



