Birds of Britain 



It nests early in March, the eggs being usually placed in a 

 hollow tree, though it often makes use of deserted nests 

 of Eooks, Crows, or Hawks, and sometimes nests on the 

 ground at the base of a tree. The eggs are white and 

 glossy and much rounder in shape than those of the Barn 

 Owl. It is extremely nocturnal, never appearing till quite 

 dark, and seldom pursuing its prey in the open, but keeping 

 to glades and rides in the woods. Its hoot is a loud 

 " hoo hoo," and is repeated with great frequency. This 

 species is never met with on migration, but is one of 

 the most resident of birds, rarely wandering far from its 

 birthplace. 



The sexes are alike, except that the female is slightly 

 larger. The general colour is usually of a warm tawny 

 brown, mottled and streaked with darker shades of the same 

 colour ; the under parts are pale huffish white, striped with 

 dark brown. There are two phases of this species which 

 are alike in markings, but in one the predominating tint is 

 red and in the other grey. Length 15 in. ; wing 1 in. 



TENGMALM'S OWL 



Nyctala tengmalmi (J. F. Qmelin) 



This species is an inhabitant of the pine forests of 

 Northern Europe, migrating southwards in winter. A few 

 stragglers have occurred in these islands from time to time. 

 The general colour above is umber brown, spotted and 

 marked with white ; the facial disk is white with a dark 



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