446 SCOPS ALDROVAXDI. 



Remarks. — According to authors, this beautiful lit- 

 tle owl occurs in various parts of the continent of 

 Europe, being stationary in the more southern, and ap- 

 pearing in the northern only accidentally or during its 

 migrations. In France, BufFon states that they arrive 

 in flocks about the same time as the swallows, and 

 take their departure after them. He also states that 

 they destroy great numbers of field-mice, but although 

 they travel in large flocks, are rather rare and difficult 

 to be procured. " Their colour," he says, " varies 

 much according to age and climate, perhaps according 

 to sex ; they are all grey at first ; among adults some 

 are browner than others ; the colour of the eyes ap- 

 pears to follow that of the plumage," varying from pale 

 yellow to hazel. 



Montagu introduced this species into the Fauna of 

 Britain, on the authority of Mr Foljambe, of Osber- 

 ton. The first specimens were shot in Yorkshire, and 

 several others are stated to have been found in various 

 parts of England. 



Strix Scops. Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 129. 

 Strix Scops. Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i. p. oQ. 

 Strix Zorca. Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i. p. 56. 

 Strix Giu. Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 36. 

 Little Horned Owl. Mont. Ornith. Diet. Suppl. 

 Hibou Scops. Strix Scops. Temm. Man. d'Ornith. p. 103. 

 Scops Aldrovandi. Flem. Brit. Anirn. p. .57. 

 Scops-eared Owl. Scops Aldrovandi. Selbp Illustr. vol. i. p. 92. 

 Bubo Scops, Nob ! Scops-eared Owl! Jemjns, Brit. Vertebr. 

 Anim. p. 91. 



