THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 
neighbouring fields and commons, pays visits to the rick- 
yards, and I have known it to pass to and fro above the 
highway. ‘This Owl neither hoots nor screeches, but 
utters a mewing or barking cry. It apparently pairs for 
life,and keeps fairly close to one particular haunt through- 
out the year. It 1s an early breeder, laying its eggs from 
February onwards. No nest is provided for them, and 
they are deposited in the old deserted home of a Pigeon, 
Crow, Magpie, or squirrel, or in some hollow in a tree, 
especially where ivy grows in dense festoons and bunches. 
They are from three to seven in number, white, and 
slightly polished. ‘The chief food of this Owl consists 
of mice, rats, and voles, but small birds and insects are 
occasionally sought. 
The general colour of the upper parts of this Owl is 
buff, mottled and vermiculated with various shades of 
brown ; the long horns or erectile tufts are black marked 
with buff ; the under parts are of a paler buff, streaked 
with dark brown and barred with light brown. Bill 
and claws bluish grey; irides bright orange-yellow. 
Length of adult between 13 and 14 inches. ‘The nestling 
is covered with grey and buff down. 
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