THE BIRDS OF HELIGOLAND 191 



whole earth, Europe possesses only the small number of fifteen, 

 nine of which are represented in Heligoland ; with the exception, 

 however, of the Short- and Long-eared Owl, none of them have 

 been met with on more than one or two occasions. 



28. — Tawny Owl [Waldkauz]. 

 STRIX ALU CO, Linn.i 



Strix aluco. Naumann, i. 473. 



Tawny Owl. Dresser, v. 271. 



Chouette houlelte. Teniminck, Manuel, i. 89, iii. 48. 



The (German) name of this species ( = Wood-Owl) is sufficient 

 to show that a place bare of trees like Heligoland is not a suitable 

 place of residence for it : this has indeed proved to be the fact, for 

 the bird has only been seen and shot here once. The example was 

 in Reymers' possession, and being one of his earliest attempts in 

 taxidermy, left much to be desired; when I received it, it was 

 already far gone, and finally went to ruin altogether. Such, mdeed, 

 during my earlier years, from want of experience, happened to me 

 in regard to many a bird, which I had thought I might easily 

 replace by a better example, but which I never succeeded in 

 obtaining again. 



This Owl nests more or less numerously throughout the whole 

 of Europe, and even across the Ural into western Asia, though only 

 scattei'ed individuals are met with on this island. 



29. — Barn Owl [Schleierkauz]. 

 • STRIX FLAMMEA, Linn. 



Heligolandish : Schleier-iihl = Veiled Owl. 

 Strix flammea. Naumann, i. 485. 

 Barn Owl. Dresser, v. 237. 



Chouette effraie. Teraininck, Manuel, i. 91, iii. 48. 



In general, only very isolated examples of this pretty Owl visit 

 Heligoland ; in fact, one can hardly coimt on obtaining more than 

 one specimen in the course of each year. October 1876 formed 

 a remarkable exception, ten or eleven birds having been seen 

 and, for the most part, shot. During September and October of 

 that year a very strong migration of Eastern species, such as 

 Sylvia superciliosa, Anthiis richardi, and others, took place ; 

 Common Jays also occurring in immense quantities, which is 

 only the case when a very strong migratory movement from the 

 direction of eastern Asia takes place. 



' Syrnium aluco (Linn.). 



