STJ^/GES. ( 287 ) STRIGIDAi. 



THE LONG-EARED OWL. 



HORNED OWL, HORNED HOOLET, HORNIE HOOLET. 



Asio otus. 



T/ie homyt hyrd qnhilk 7C'e clepe the nicht Oiile, 



Laithcly of forme, 'with criikit camscho beik. 



Gavin Douglas, Description of Wyntcr. 



The Long-eared Owl is a permanent resident ^ in most of 

 the pine-woods throughout Berwickshire, and it also fre- 

 quents small strips and clumps of firs by the roadsides. 

 During the day-time, it usually sits concealed amongst the 

 thickly-set branches towards the top of a tree, close to the 

 trunk ; and, as its mottled plumage somewhat resembles the 

 colour of the bark, it is not easily noticed. Although it 

 generally chooses a bushy fir for its retreat, it does not 

 invariably do so, for, on the 29th of August 1874, I found 

 two sitting in a large leafy hawthorn by the side of the 

 Tweed, near Paxton House ; and Mr. W. Duns, Duns, 

 informs me that, a few years ago, he saw an Owl of this 

 kind amongst the ivy which covers the old aisle in Ayton 

 Churchyard. 



This species does not appear to be much bewildered by 

 sunlight, and, if disturbed while roosting in some thick tree 



1 The Long-eared Owl is occasioually seen on migration at tlie lighthouses 

 on the east coasts of England and Scotland. It is possible that our Berwick- 

 shire birds may receive some additions to their numbers from migrants in 

 autumn, and that these visitors may return northwards again in spring. 



