50 THE BIItDS OF XORTHAMPTONSIIIRE 



such occurrences are exceptional, and, in defence of 

 a very favourite bird, may refer my readers to the 

 result of an examination of 210 pellets, composed of 

 the indigestible portions of food thrown up by birds 

 of this species, quoted in Yarrell's ' British Birds,' 

 4tli ed. p. 1-18. I have also myself examined many 

 pellets of the Tawny Owl, and, as far as game, strictly 

 speaking, is concerned, with a similar result, though 

 I have more than once detected the remains of young 

 rabbits. 



This Owl is probably pretty well known to those 

 of my readers who live in the country. It loves old 

 hollow trees and masses of ivy, but does not, so far 

 as I know, frequent old buihlings, barns, churches, 

 &c., as the Barn or White Owl so often does. AVith 

 us at Lilford I have often remarked tbat the Tawny 

 Owls become very noisy in the first frosty nights in 

 September and October, and continue their nightly 

 concerts with little intermission till the nesting- 

 season. I have seldom heard their well-known 

 ""Wboo hoo "' during the summer months except in 

 the daytime, though the cry of the young birds is 

 constantly to be heard after they leave the nest and 

 begin to perch amongst the neighbouring branches. 



This Owl is an early breeder ; I have twice met 

 with nests containing hard-set eggs in the last week 

 of March, and several times seen strong- flying young 

 Tawny Owls in April. I have no positive proof that 

 this species breeds more than once in the same 

 season, but I have had unfledged young birds brought 

 to me at various times in May, June, July, and August, 

 when some broods, at all events, had left the nests. 

 With us this species generally chooses a hollow oak, 

 elm, or ash for its establishment, and will use the 



