4o6 



OWLS 



carefully and swiftly along the edges of the woods (mobbed at first by 

 such small birds as may be still awake) in search of pre\-, which in- 

 cludes field-mice, rats, small birds (which are captured while roosting), 

 and, it is said, squirrels. Although, as already stated, the usual haunts 

 of the species are fir-woods, in winter small parties of long-eared owls 

 ma\- be seen on the gorse of the South Downs, probably emigrants 

 from north-eastern Europe. 



The deserted nest of a crow, sparrow-hawk, or other large bird 

 serves as the long-eared owl's nursery ; and in this, after a few repairs 



I.ONG-EAKKD OWI. AT HAV. 



and alterations have been made, arc laid, as a rule in the latter part of 

 March or during the first few days of April, a clutch of from four to 

 six eggs, although occasionally as few as three or as many as seven. 

 Several daj-s elapse between the la}-ing of the different eggs, and as 

 incubation (which is shared by both sexes) takes place forthwith, both 

 eggs and young are in due time found in the nest together. For the 

 incubation of each egg a period of about twenty-four days is required. 

 The eggs are not unlike those of a ring-dov^e, but larger, rounder and 

 less glossy, with a coarser grain to the shell. The ordinary note of 

 this owl has been compared to a dog's bark ; but in addition to this, 

 squeaks and a feeble attempt at hooting are characteristic of the 

 species.^ 



' The account of the habits of tliis species is abbreviated from an article in the /•»•/(/ of 1905. 



