30 On the Ornithology of Wilts \_Strigid(e.'] 



in the summer is a straggler occasionally seen, which has left the 

 warmth of Italy, and the shores of the Mediterranean for our 

 colder climate : its favourite haunts seem to be the hot countries 

 near the equator, but every summer it is extremely common 

 thoughout Italy, and I found no difl&culty in procuring a 

 specimen at Genoa. It is described as a late-flj'ing species, 

 seldom leaving its retreat, till after the sun has gone down below 

 the horizon : its cry is said to be a constant repetition of the word 

 "kew," which becomes very monotonous and tiresome to the 

 listener •. the colour of its plumage is difficult to describe, each. 

 feather being mottled, speckled, barred and spotted, and pencilled 

 with every shade of dark and pale brown and grey ; and a re- 

 markably pretty bird it is, and very diminutive, its total length 

 being little more than seven inches : the head is furnished with 

 two little tufts of feathers or ears, each tuft consisting of about 

 seven feathers. Its principle food is insects of various kinds, but 

 it will also occasionally prey on mice and other small animals. I 

 have but one instance to record of its occurrence in Wiltshire, and 

 that alas ! is now destroyed, having been pulled to pieces by the 

 grandchildren of its owner ; it was killed about twenty years since 

 in the south of the county. I may add, that several other instances 

 of its occurrence in various parts of the countj'^ have reached me, 

 but on examination, the species proves in all these cases to have 

 been mistaken. 



Long eared Owl (Otus vulgaris). Conspicuous amongst its con- 

 geners from its long tufts or horns, which measure nearly an inch 

 and a half in length, this handsome species stands forth, as a very 

 type of the family of owls, so complete is the ruff of feathers sur- 

 rounding the face, so large the orifice of the ear, so buoyant its 

 flight, so thoroughly nocturnal its habits : as in the species last 

 described, nothing can exceed the beautiful pencilled markings of 

 its plumage, the darker shades of brown contrasting with the more 

 delicate tints of the same colour, and the whole blending together 

 and harmonizing with indescribable beauty. It frequents thick 

 plantations during the day, and breeds very early in the spring, in 

 our large woods, preferring the deserted nest of another bird to the 



