CARINE NOCTUA GLAUX 73 



among the palms, and by waiting quietly for a little while under the 

 trees, I occasionally got a glimpse of the birds, although as a rule, 

 they keep very still, remaining stationary in one spot, generally at 

 the top of a palm-trunk, just below the branching crown of the 

 tree. Nestling close to the grey trunk, and remaining perfectly 

 motionless, as they usually do, when anyone is near, it is almost 

 impossible to distinguish the birds in the dim evening light, though 

 their cry enables one to locate their whereabouts very fairly. The 

 note of the Scops-Owl is plaintive and rather monotonous, being well 

 rendered by the monosyllable "kin" or " giu" repeated at intervals. 

 I cannot agree with those who consider that the Arab name for this 

 bird "Maroiif" expresses it. The Italian name, Chiu, is far more 

 appropriate. 



Authors seem to disagree as to this Owl being strictly nocturnal 

 in its habits, but there is no doubt that it is more or less so. The 

 species is chiefly insectivorous, but will also prey on small mammals, 

 and iu captivity it will eat almost anything that is given it. 

 According to some authorities the bird is easily domesticated, and 

 becomes remarkably tame and familiar. In Tunisia, as elsewhere, 

 it is rather a late breeder; nests and eggs are not met with, as a rule, 

 before May, and are to be found even up to the end of June. The 

 nest is usually placed in the crown of a palm, or iu the trunk of 

 an olive-tree, but old Magpies' nests are frequently used for the 

 purpose. Both male and female take part in the incubation of the 

 eggs. These are generally four or five m number, and pure white ; 

 their average measurements are 29'50 X '2.5 mm. 



Baron v. Erlanger gives some interesting particulars regarding 

 the nesting of the species in Tunisia (J. f. 0. 1898, p. 487). 



CARINE NOCTUA GLAUX (Savigny). 



SOUTHEEN LITTLE OWL. 



Noctua glanx, Saviguy, Syst. Ois. de VEgyple, &c., p. 45 (1810). 

 Carine glaux, Irby, Orn. Sir. Gibr. p. 58 (1875) ; Sharpe, Cat. Birds 



Brit. Mus. ii, p. 135. 

 Strix passerina (Athens noctua), Malherbe, Cat. Bais. d'Ois. Alg. p. 7 



(1846). 



