STRIGID^,. 



28- 





.■^-.:J 





THE LONG-EARED OWL. 

 Asio (Vrus (Linn^us). 



The Long-eared Owl is more abundant than is generally sup- 

 posed, and in the wooded districts of Great Britain — especially in 

 fir-plantations — this handsome bird is found throughout the year ; 

 its numbers being increased in autumn by considerable migrations 

 from the Continent. Where suitable cover is available it breeds in 

 the Hebrides, and it has visited the Orkneys, Shetlands and Fajroes, 

 though there the conditions are not favourable for a prolonged stay. 

 In Ireland it is common and resident. 



To Iceland this Owl has strayed on one occasion ; and it is 

 found breeding in Scandinavia and Russia as far as 63° N. lat., 

 though rare and local at the northern extremity of its range. South 

 of 59° in the Ural Mountains, it is more or less numerous down 

 to the northern slopes of the Caucasus ; while westward, we find 

 it generally distributed throughout the woodlands of Europe. 

 In the south it is more abundant in winter than in summer, and 

 the birds which breed in Spain and Italy generally ascend to the 



