290 
Sp. 11. 
Spe. 12. 
Mr. Jenyns on the Ornithology of Cambridgeshire. 
partial to marshy districts; at least it always breeds in such 
situations, placing its nest on the ground. In the young birds 
the difference of plumage between the two sexes is not discernible. 
Genus II. STRIX. Linn, 
* With ears. 
S. Otus, Temm. Man. d@Ornith. p. 102. 
LonG-EARED Ow1.—This is a rare species. Some years ago 
a female was taken out of a hollow tree at Bottisham, and was 
kept alive for a few days, during which time it layed one egg 
of a dull white colour. It has this year (1825) been shot at 
Swaffham Prior. 
S. Brachyotos, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. p.99 
SHORT-EARED Ow. — This is only seen with us during the 
autumnal and winter months, retiring northward in the spring 
to breed. Though unknown in many parts of England, it is not 
uncommon throughout the low grounds of Cambridgeshire, where 
it makes its first appearance towards the latter end of September. 
I have been informed that in the fens, in the neighbourhood of 
Littleport, these birds are sometimes found in astonishing plenty, 
particularly after those seasons which have been most productive of 
field mice, which appear to be their favourite food and a great 
object of attraction. In those districts they are known by the 
name of Norway Owl, being supposed to come over to us from that 
country *. Their usual haunts are fields of coleseed and turnips, 
in which situations they may often be put up one after another 
to the number of fifty or more; but they are never observed in 
stubbles or amongst trees during the day, though they resort to 
these last to roost at night, and at such times seem much attached 
to plantations of spruce firs. 
* Montagu in his Ornithological Dictionary appears to have been of the same 
opinion. 
