Raptorial Birds of the Solway Area. 337 



In autumn and spring many migrant Brown Owls pass 

 through our area, amongst which an occasional fine example In 

 the interesting grey phase of plumage may be distinguished. So 

 far as my experience goes, this grey phase of plumage has no 

 representatives with us as breeding birds. They are, I believe, 

 all migrants passing through the district, and are found usually 

 in the late autumn months. 



The other day I happened to be reading a novel — an 

 occupation, I am bound to explain, that I very rarely indulge in. 

 The scene of the part I was perusing was laid in Galloway, and 

 the following passage attracted my attention : — " An owl hooted, 

 but presently the bird itself passed close to him with a soft woof 

 of feathers, and a glint of a face like a white mask." Now, 

 the Barn Owl has a white face, but does not hoot ; the Brown 

 Owl hoots, and hoots prodigiously, but its face is not white. So 

 there is considerable ambiguity about the exact species. In any 

 case none of our resident Owls emit any sound whatever from 

 their wings in flight. It is absolutely noiseless, although the 

 motion of the air is easily felt as they pass. I have had all 

 the species pass within a foot or two of me, and I have kept all 

 of them, except the Short-eared, in captivity. We should really 

 expect a little more scientific precision of expression from one like 

 Mr Crockett, who is both an M.B.O.U. and a great writer. 



The Long-Eared Owl 



is, I think, the prettiest of all the British Owls. Its more 

 slender form, better carriage, and the distinguishing length of its 

 ear tufts, give it a fine appearance. Coming out well before 

 twilight has ended, and sitting as it does on some quite con- 

 spicuous position about the tree tops, or flying in short flights 

 from tree to tree, it is in consequence fully more interesting in 

 these respects than its congeners. While not exactly a gregarious 

 bird, yet there is a strong tendency to a form of company keep- 

 ing, for in favourable circumstances two, or sometimes three, 

 pairs may be found in tolerably close proximity. Throughout 

 Solway it is quite as numerous as the Brown Owl, but is strictly 

 confined to the woodland districts, and is not found either on the 

 hills or along the cliffs of the shore. 



During the migration seasons it is occasionally quite 

 common. 



