296 THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



be slightly on the increase, and in the East and North Ridings 

 it is more numerous than the Tawny Owl. As an immigrant, 

 it is observed annually on the coast in the vicinity of Spurn, 

 and at the Teesmouth, but in very limited numbers, and 

 arrives there later in the season than its congener, the Short- 

 eared species, usually in the latter days of November or in 

 December, although I have observed individuals in mid- 

 October at Redcar ; it is annually observed migrating across 

 Heligoland. 



The late A. Roberts of Scarborough reported the following 

 curious incident in the nidification of this bird : " Some 

 years ago, a friend of mine observed a Long-eared Owl leave 

 an old Crow's nest and, on climbing the tree, found the nest 

 empty. Three days afterwards he again saw the Owl leave 

 the identical nest ; he again ascended, and found three eggs 

 just at hatching. The only way in which this can be accounted 

 for is that, disturbed in other quarters, the Owls must have 

 conveyed their eggs to this nest. Out of curiosity, the next 

 time I had one of these birds in the flesh for preservation 

 I found that the mouth was quite capable of containing its egg." 



This Owl is gregarious in winter, and sometimes, when a 

 wood is being beaten out for the shooters, several of these 

 birds may be seen on the wing together, flying out into the 

 open in an aimless manner, and quite dazed by the light. 



The only local names are Horned Owl, which is a general 

 term, and Long-horned Ullat. 



SHORT-EARED OWL, 



Asio accipitrinus {Pallas). 



Winter visitant ; fairly common in some seasons. Arrives usually 

 in October and November. Occasionally nests in the county. 



An early allusion, perhaps the first, to this species is found 

 in the Allan MS. of the Tunstall or Wycliffe Museum, dated 

 about 1791, where it is described as " A bird of passage ; 



