The Long-Eared Owl 



THIS handsome Owl is commoner than 

 many people imagine. Its habit of 

 hiding by day, in the darkest recesses of pine 

 forests and other unfrequented places, makes 

 it appear rarer than it actually is. 



The so-called "long ears" are really not 

 ears at all, but tufts of feathers about an inch 

 and a half in length growing on the top of 

 the head. They can be raised or lowered at 

 will by the bird. 



No nest whatever is made by the Long- 

 Eared Owl. If it cannot find the old home 

 of a crow, wood-pigeon, magpie or squirrel, it 

 simply descends to the ground and lays its 

 four or five white oval-shaped eggs in a 

 hollow under a stunted pine or amongst long- 

 heather. 



The young ones are hatched about the 

 beginning of April in the south of England, 

 but later in Scotland. They are quaint look- 

 ing little fellows, covered with fluffy white 



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