MOTTLED TUFTED-OWL. 459 



When perched at night it sometimes emitted a clicking noise, 

 like that of a spring, with its bill ; but when provoked, it 

 neither hissed nor snapped, but uttered a shrill, tremulous, 

 plaintive cry, or succession of short notes, erecting its tufts at 

 the same time. 



On the European Continent this species extends from the 

 Scandinavian Peninsula to the shores of the Mediterranean. It 

 has also been found in Africa. In North America it is very 

 extensively dispersed, but, according to Mr Audubon is more 

 abundant in the middle and eastern than in the southern and 

 western parts. Its habits there, as described by him, are the 

 same as with us. " During the day it is not uncommon to see 

 it perched on the top of a low bush or fir. At such times it 

 stands with the body erect, but the tarsi bent and resting on a 

 branch, as is the manner of almost all Owls. The head then 

 seems the largest part, the body being much more slender than 

 it is usually represented. Now and then it raises itself and 

 stands with its legs and neck extended, as if the better to mark 

 the approach of an intruder. Its eyes, which were closed when 

 it was first observed, are opened on the least noise, and it 

 seems to squint at you in a most grotesque manner, although 

 it is not difficult to approach very near it. It rarely on such 

 occasions takes to wing, but throws itself into the thicket, and 

 makes off on foot by means of pretty long leaps. When en- 

 camped in the woods, I have frequently heard the notes of this 

 bird at night. Its cry is prolonged and plaintive, though con- 

 sisting of not more than two or three notes repeated at inter- 

 vals. Its food consists of rats, mice, and other small quad- 

 rupeds, as well as birds of various species ; its stomach having 

 been found by me crammed with feathers and other remains of 

 the latter." 



But the Prince of Musignano, holds the American Long- 

 cared Owl to be distinct from the European, and in his Com- 

 parative List has named the former Otus Americanus, the 

 latter Otus vulgaris. As no reasons are assigned, and as I 

 have compared skins and recent birds from both countries, I 

 take leave to deny the accuracy of this statement. 



