114 STRrGID.E. 



Colonel Montagu from specimens killed in Yorkshire, wliicli 

 are still preserved, and other examples have occurred. It is, 

 however, so rare, that little has been observed of its habits 

 here. It is believed, and with reason, to be migratory, visit- 

 ing us in summer, and retiring, before the cold weather com- 

 mences, to the south of Europe and to North Africa. It is 

 said to be strictly nocturnal, feeding upon mice, beetles, and 

 large moths. It forms a simple nest in the fissures of rocks,- 

 or in holes of trees, laying from two to four or five eggs, 

 which are white, one inch three lines in length, by one inch 

 and half a line in breadth. 



One example of this little Owl was taken some time since 

 near London ; and I am indebted to Mr. Joseph Clarke, of 

 Saffron Walden, for the knowledge of the occurrence of two 

 specimens on the estate of Lord Braybrooke, at Audley End 

 in Essex. Dr. Hastings, in his Natural History of Worces- 

 tershire, notices one that was taken alive near Fladbury, and 

 brought to the residence of the late Mrs. Perrot, at Chantry. 

 One shot in Yorkshire, is said to be in the collection of Mr. 

 Foljambe of Osberton ; a second, shot near Wetherby in the 

 spring of 1805, is in the collection of Mr. Fothergill of 

 York ; and a third example, also shot in Yorkshire, is re- 

 corded by Mr. Selby to have been in the possession of the 

 late Mr. Thomas Bewick. My friend Mr. John Hogg of 

 the Temple, in his Natural History of the vicinity of Stock- 

 ton-on-Tees, says of the Scops, that it " breeds in Castle 

 Eden Dene. Mr, Winch informs me, that he has seen 

 young birds just taken from the nest by the woodman." — 

 Page 4. 



This little species, though inhabiting an extensive range 

 in different countries, is confined to the temperate and 

 warmer parts of the old Avorld, where insects are known to 

 abound. Mr. Gould, in his Birds of Europe, says it is found 

 in Asia. It does not visit the North of Europe even in 



