STRIGES. ( 289 ) STRIGIDjE. 



THE SHORT-EAKED OWL. 



WOODCOCK OWL, MARSH OWL, MOSS OWL. 



Asio accijpitrinus. 

 %\)Z tiaiooDcotk ^toU 



The Owl by day, 

 If he arise, is mocked and wotidercd at. 



Shakespeare, Henry VI. 



This Owl is a winter visitor to Berwickshire, making 

 its appearance with the Woodcock from the north of Europe 

 in October and November, and leaving us for the northern 

 regions with that bird in March ; hence its popular name 

 of Woodcock Owl.^ 



While on migration in autumn and spring, it is observed 

 during night at the lighthouses on the east coasts of Eng- 

 land and Scotland ;^ and, on arriving, it seems to settle in 

 considerable numbers in certain localities near the sea-coast, 

 as many as twenty having been found on Mordington Moor 

 during a day's search for Woodcock in November.^ It is 

 frequently seen during this month in the neighbourhood of 

 the Grange Wood, in the parish of Coldingham. 



This species does not inhabit woods, rocky precipices, 

 or old ruins, like our other Owls, but frequents moors and 



1 It is probable that when heavy snow-storms occur in the country in winter, 

 this Owl emigrates further south, and visits us again in spring on its migration 

 northwards. 



2 Reports on the Migration of Birds, 1879-86. 



Information from Mr. James Purves, gamekeeper, Mordington. 



VOL. I. T 



