The Short-eared Owl 



THE Short-eared Owl is a very widely 

 distributed bird, being found all over 

 Europe, the greater part of Asia, in northern 

 Africa, and throughout the whole length of 

 the American continent at one season or 

 other of the year. 



Although a somewhat rare breeding 

 species in the British Islands, its numbers 

 are considerably swollen in the winter by 

 migrants from more northern countries. It 

 arrives on the east coast about the same time 

 in October as the woodcock, and whether it 

 is from this circumstance, or the fact that it 

 indulges in a similar twisting flight, is not 

 quite certain, but in many parts it is known 

 as the " Woodcock Owl." 



Its head is somewhat smaller and more 

 hawk-like than that of any other member of 

 the owl family inhabiting our country. The 

 ear tufts consist of three or four feathers 

 which can be erected or lowered at will. 



p 113 



