20 
Another darker form, though not uncommon in 
central Europe, is very rare in Britain. The three 
specimens in the case were all obtained in Sussex; 
one, stuffed flying, was caught in a barn at 
Shoreham, October 24th, 1893, and was bought and 
presented by Mr, H. Willett. Another was killed 
early in November, 1900, at Rottingdean, and is 
stuffed holding a mouse in one foot. It was acquired 
by purchase. The third is not quite so dark as the 
others. It was obtained in September, 1901, at 
Shoreham, and was bought and presented by Mr. A. 
F. Griffith. 
Mr. Dawson Rowley in his Miscellany (Vol. L., 
p. 62) records and figures another similar bird which 
was captured alive ina pigeon house near Brighton. 
SHORT-EARED OWL.—(NeEst anp Youne). 
Case 353. 
This day-flying owl still nests occasionally in 
the the fens and broads, and breeds regularly in the 
North of Scotland and the Hebrides, The three 
young birds in the case were obtained by the late 
Mr. Booth in Norfolk on June 23rd, J881. 
The old bird with the nest, addled egg, etc., 
were presented by Sir John Campbell-Orde, having 
been obtained by his keeper in North Uist (Outer 
Hebrides), in June, 1897. 
It will be noticed that the breeding plumage of 
this species is strikingly lighter than the autumn or 
winter plumage (see Case 50). 
When disturbed near their nests, I have seen 
the old birds circling in the air round the intruder, 
uttering their bark-like note. On one such occasion 
I saw them rising to a considerable height in the air, 
and then dropping nearly to the ground, repeatedly 
making a distinct crack which could be heard at a 
considerable distance, caused, I believe, by the 
bird snapping its beaks together. 
