BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 181 



head, neck, back, and scapulars dusky, the feathers 

 being bordered with light rusty brown. Wing- 

 coverts dusky, marked with a number of yellowish- 

 white spots ; primaries light rusty brown, barred 

 with blackish-brown. Tail-quills pale rufous, barred 

 with dark brown. Under- parts huffish- white, 

 streaked on the breast and l)elly with blackish- 

 brown. Legs and toes featbered and pale huffish- 

 white in colour ; claws blackish. 



The female is rather larger than the male, 

 and is said by some to be somewhat duller in color- 

 ation; however, individuals vary in this respect. 

 The bird is readily distinguished from all the 

 other members of tlie Owl family by the smallness 

 of its head. 



Situation and Localitij. — On the ground, amongst 

 heather, long grass, rushes, sedge, and gorse ; on 

 large moors, upland heaths, fens, and marshes in 

 Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and in the northern 

 counties of England and Scotland. It is said 

 to be only a winter visitor to Ireland. 



Materials. — Dry grass, moss, and other bits of 

 dead vegetation, used sparingly to line the hollow 

 made or selected; sometimes none whatever. 



Eggs. — Three to five, generally ; some authorities 

 give the numbers as occasionally as many as seven 

 or eight. White, and oval in form. Size about 1-6 

 by 1-28 in. Easily distinguished by nesting site. 

 Time. — April and May. 



BeniarliS. — Eesident and migratory, its numbers 

 being swollen in winter by the arrival of more 

 northern breeders. Notes, a shrill cry and snapping 

 of the beak when the nest or young are in danger. 

 Local and other names : Woodcock Owl, Hawk 

 Owl, Mousehawk, Short-horned Howlet, Horned 

 Oolert. A close sitter. 



