118 STBIGID.F,. 



unknown or uncommon in most wooded districts. It appears 

 to resort to large woods, in which it makes choice of an old 

 tree well covered Avith ivy for a hiding-place ; thick planta- 

 tions also of evergreens, fir, holly, &c. are favourite haunts, 

 those of spruce fir more particularly, according to Mr. Selby, 

 being preferred. 



This species of Owl remains in this country throughout the 

 year. It makes little or no noise, except when young, sel- 

 dom moves in the day time, unless disturbed, and then 

 bustles out, close to you, with every mark of fear and con- 

 fusion. It feeds upon rats, moles, mice, and small birds. 

 In the stomach of one individual, Mr. Selby found five skulls 

 of mice ; and one I examined contained the remains of a 

 Goldfinch. It is believed that this Owl obtains small birds 

 by taking them off their roost. 



The Long-eared Owl is said not to make a nest for itself, 

 but to take to the deserted habitation of some other bird, 

 when of sufficient size for its own wants ; and has been known 

 to rear its young in the old drey of a squirrel. The eggs are 

 four or five in number, oval, smooth, and white ; one inch 

 eight lines and a half long, by one inch three lines and a half 

 in breadth. The young, hatched by the end of April, are 

 then covered with white down, and do not quit the nest 

 during the first month ; when they do, Mr. Selby says, " they 

 take up their abode in some adjoining tree, and, for many 

 subsequent days, indeed for weeks, may be heard after sun- 

 set uttering a plaintive call for food, during which time the 

 parent birds are diligently employed in hawking for prey.'" 



The Long-eared Owl inhabits most of the southern and 

 western counties of England, from Sussex to Cornwall. 

 According to Mr. Thompson of Belfast, " it occurs through- 

 out Ireland, and is resident. Where a sufficient extent of 

 wood exists in the counties of Down and Antrim, it is a com- 

 mon species. An individual, well acquainted with the Long- 

 eared Owl, said that in a close plantation of spruce firs at 



