LONG-EARED OWL 



405 



on the feathers of the beak and breast. As regards colour, the feathers 

 of the upper surface are stippled and barred with fine dusk\' wavy- 

 lines on a grey and buff ground ; the face-disk is pale buff with darker 

 centre and margin ; the under-parts are warm buff and grey with 

 broad streaks and delicate transverse blackish bars ; and the eyes are 

 bright golden yellow. The sexes are alike in size. In young birds 

 the markings are more defined, and the face-disk is yellower. In the 

 nestling the down is greyish white, and the face-disk dark ; and the 

 first feathers arc of a peculiarly " fluffy " character, with dusky barrings. 

 The complete feathering of 

 the legs is a characteristic 

 of this owl. 



Unlike the barn-owl, 

 the long -eared owl is a 

 migratory species, inhabit- 

 ing Europe (inclusive of 

 Iceland) and northern and 

 Central Asia (inclusive of 

 Japan), and visiting northern 

 Africa and north-western 

 India in winter. Its breed- 

 ing-range in Europe extends 

 as far north as about lati- 

 tude 6tj°, and in Asia as far 

 south as Palestine and prob- 

 ably the higher ranges of 

 the Himalaya ; indeed in 

 all its more southern breed- 

 ing-resorts it apparently 

 nests only in mountainous 

 forests. In the British Isles 

 it breeds locally almost 



everywhere, although only twice recorded from the Outer Hebrides ; 

 its favourite resorts being pine-forests, or clumps of firs amid deciduous 

 trees. It is represented in America by a closely allied bird, which, 

 although generally described as a distinct species, may be best regarded 

 as a dark local race, under the name of Asio otus wilsoniaiius. 



Boughs form the favourite roosting-places of this owl, which when 

 in repose depresses its long ear-tufts, and harmonises to perfection 

 with the colouring of its surroundings. When disturbed in the day- 

 time, its flight is almost invariabh- short. In its evening flight it beats 



, THE ROWLAND ' 



LOXG-EAKED OWL. 



