( 104 ) 



hollow in the bara earth answers the 

 purpose. The same place is frequently 

 resorted to year after year. It is said that 

 a southern aspect is given the preference. 



"The eggs are two or three in number, 

 white or bluish white, and like those of 

 all the owls, only slightly oval and of 

 rough chalky appearance." 



Notes. — This is the largest of the 

 nocturnal birds of prey. 



LONG-EAEED OWL. 



ASIO OTUS (l.) 

 [Asio vulgaris (Flem.)] 



Description. — Length 15 inches. 



Bill black, core pale. Legs and toes 

 fully feathered with light buff feathers. 



Head yellowish brown, mottled with 

 dark brown and white. Ear tufts li 

 inches long. 



Back mottled yellowish brown, grey, 

 and black. Wings grey to yellowish 

 brown, banded dusky black, long, 

 reaching beyond the tail. Under 

 parts grey or pale yellow mottled 

 with dark brown in spots or streaks 

 and crossed with fine transverse bars. 

 Whole plumage very soft and downy, 

 tail rather short, square, and barred. 



Distribution. — Europe and Asia. 

 This owl is found throughout China, 

 visiting the Yangtse Valley in the 

 winter. 



SHOET-EAKED OWL. 



ASIO FLAMMEUS (pONt). 



[Asio brac^otus (Blyth)J 



Description. — Length 14 inches. 



This Owl is very similar to Asio 



otus, differing.from it in having very 



short ear tufts, a more yellowish cast 



to the plumage and the fact that the 



