LONG-EAKED OWL. 159 



and by no means uncommon in most wooded districts. 

 Indeed owing to the general increase of plantations, and 

 especially of those formed of the evergreen firs, it is probably 

 year by year growing more numerous throughout the country. 

 It does not require a large, or even very retired wood, a few 

 comparatively- small but thick trees afford it sufficient shelter 

 during the day, when it seldom if ever stirs from its roost, 

 unless disturbed. It then noiselessly flaps its broad wings 

 and sails away to some other perch, displaying great self- 

 possession, and apparently but little incommoded by the 

 glare even of the noon-tide sun. 



This species of Owl remains in this country throughout 

 the year. It makes little or no noise, except when young, 

 so that even where most abundant its existence is often 

 least suspected. It feeds chiefly upon rats, mice and voles, 

 but small birds occasionally enter into its dietary. In the 

 stomach of one individual, Selby found five skulls of mice ; 

 and one I examined contained the remains of a Goldfinch. 

 Mr. Gould mentions that one of his correspondents had 

 recognized the remains of the Wheatear, Willow- Wren, 

 Yellow Bunting, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Bullfinch in 

 the pellets rejected by this Owl, and it possibly obtains 

 these birds by taking them when at roost. 



The Long-eared Owl makes no nest for itself, but usually 

 takes to the deserted habitation of some other bird, when 

 of sufficient size for its own wants ; or more often rears its 

 young in the old drey of a squirrel. The eggs are four or five 

 in number, oval, smooth and white, measuring from 1*78 to 

 1*45 by 1*35 to 1'21 in. The young, hatched by the end of 

 April, are then covered with white down, and do not quit 

 the nest during the first month ; when they do, says Selby, 

 " they take up their abode in some adjoining tree, and for 

 many subsequent days, indeed for weeks, may be heard after 

 sunset uttering a plaintive but loud call for food ; during 

 which time the parent birds are seen diligently employed in 

 hawking for prey." 



The Long-eared Owl inhabits Great Britain from Cornwall 

 to Caithness, and in the eastern counties its numbers receive 



