Alanchcster Memoirs^ Vol. Ivi. (1912), No. 8. 



VIII. A Note on the Little Owl, Carine uoctua (Scop.),, 

 and its Food. 



By T. A. Coward, F.Z.S. 



{Read DeccmliLr 12th, igir. Received for puhlicatioit December ijth, iq/i.\ 



Two problems in connection with the Little Owl have 

 faced British ornithologists for many years ; neither is 

 really solved. What is the position of the bird in Britain, 

 and is it worthy of the protection it has hitherto received ? 

 Systematists differ about the correct generic name of 

 the Little Owl. It is usually called Athene, but there 

 are other reasons beside priority why CariJie should be 

 adopted. Seebohm called it Noctiia 7ioctna, considering 

 that Gerini's genus should be accepted. Amongst the 

 earlier ornithologists the species was frequently confused 

 with the Pygmy Owl, Strix passerina of Linnaeus. 



The range of the Little Owl extends southwards from 

 about 56''N., throughout Europe ; and in Africa the northern 

 bird is replaced by a paler and more sandy-coloured 

 species, the Southern Little Owl, Carine glaux. At the 

 present time it is a well-established and fairl}^ common 

 breeding species in certain parts of England, where, 

 without doubt, its presence is entirely due to artificial 

 introduction. So far as I am aware, all the introduced 

 birds were brought from the Continent of Europe. The 

 statement that some of them came from Egypt has been 

 contradicted. A valuable paper on " The Spread of the 

 Little Owl from the Chief Centres of its Introduction," by 



January 31st. igi2. 



