OWLS 



63 



have procured specimens near Grahamstown, at Brandfort, 

 Orange Free State and Modderfontein, Transvaal, where 

 we have invariably found the bird haunting the "bush" 

 and not the grass of the veld, so its vernacular name does 

 not seem to be quite appropriate. It is, however, stated in 





Fig. 33.— White -faced Owls. 



" Stark and Sclater " to be commonly found amongst the 

 grass and reeds bordering streams and marshes. 



The Marsh Owl (Asio capensis) is the first of the " eared " 

 owls. It is dark brown above and paler below, marbled 

 with pale brown above and mottled with white on the lower 

 breast. Length, 14| to 15 inches. 



It is found in the long grass growing on the banks of 



