I'roceedinifs. 83 



useful bird from the quantities of field mice it destroys. It 

 is rarely found beyond 60° north latitude. 



Bubo maximiis, the Eagle Owl, occurs over Europe to the 

 Himalayas. The same type is also met with in China, Japan, 

 and Corea. In Siberia a larger form is found. Tliis bird is 

 found as a fossil in the Norfolk beds. In Palestine and 

 Egypt it is replaced by the Egyptian Horned Owl. It nests 

 on ledges of mountain rocks. It is abundant in Spain. Its 

 flesh is white, tender and well flavoured. Bubo Vinjinianus 

 replaces the Eagle Owl in America. 



The Snowy Owl ranges northward beyond the limits of 

 forests. Some birds of this species are much whiter than 

 others. This is not accoimted for by age but by individuality. 

 When food is abundant. Snowy Owls are often prolific, laying 

 as many as ten eggs. Fossil remains of this bird have been 

 found in Kent's hole cavern, Torquay. 



The Short-eared Owl is a migratory species in England. 

 It is almost cosmopolitan, but is absent from Australia, New 

 Zealand, and most of Oceania. It is met with, however, in 

 the Sandwich Islands. 



Tengmalm's Owl occurs in the Eocky Mountaifas, in Lap- 

 land, and the extreme north ; it is replaced by a closely 

 allied species, the Saw-whet Owl, in the southern parts of 

 America. Unlike most Owls its call is a whistle. In this, 

 as in many Owls, there is a want of symmetry between the 

 two ears, the two sides of the skull being of different shapes. 



The Long-eared Owl is found in Europe south of lat. 64°, 

 and extends into Asia as far as India. It is plentiful in 

 Palestine. It is reputed to be good eating. It is a habit of 

 the bird to sit very close upon its eggs. 



The Hawk Owl ranges up to the northern limits of forests. 

 It is a day Owl, and lacks the facial disk. The American 

 form is barely separable from the European. 



The Ural Owl also extends to the limits of forests. A form 

 of it is found in Japan. 



The Burrowing Owl of America lives in the deserted holes 

 of the prairie-dogs. 



e 2 



