580 



RAPTORES, OE BIRDS OF PREY. 



The Short-eared Owl is more sociable than most nocturnal birds 

 of prey, and is often met with in flocks of seven or eight. Its 

 habitat is the North of Europe, quitting it in the autumn to 

 winter in Avarmer regions : it regularly visits France in October 

 and November. It is sometimes found in thickets close to 

 marshes and rivers, wliere it catches frogs, and even fish. In 



Fig. 275. — Short- eaied Owl {Utru Lrachi/uius, YaixellJ. 



the North, especially in Iceland, it builds its nest in the ground, 

 sometimes occupying burrows made by rabbits. We shall see 

 further on that this singularity is shared by one of the American 

 Owls. 



A species very similar to the last described is found in Senegal ; 

 but the head, tarsi, and lower part of the body are white ; its 

 heiffht is ten inches. 



