114 SHORT-EARED OWL. 



The specific name of this species — now generally adopted — 

 palustris is highly appropriate, so frequently is it found in moist 

 and fenny places. It is but seldom met with in pine forests, in 

 the gloom of which the Long-eared Owl delights to doze, but 

 rather in clumps of alder or willow bushes in open and marshy 

 tracts of country. It has often been observed many miles away 

 from timbered lands, and on open prairies ; but it particularly 

 delights in the rank herbage bordering on rivers and streams. 



The Short-eared Owl arrives in Canada towards the end of 

 March, or perhaps more generally the beginning of April, in con- 

 siderable numbers, and settles down in suitable localities every- 

 where. The majority, however, undoubtedly continue northward to 

 the fur countries to raise their young. The date of their arrival 

 amongst us may be always told to a nicety, as many of the early 

 birds are killed by duck-hunters and brought into our markets. 

 I have noted twenty-five exposed for sale within one week, and 

 several of these were living. One of them I kept alive for some 

 time, and had abundant opportunities of studying its various 

 attitudes. When sitting easily at rest the unusual length of the 

 wings was very perceptible. These were generally held in a 

 slightly drooping position, their extremities decidedly resting upon 

 the perch on which the bird was sitting, or at other times on the 

 ground. The " inconspicuous " ear-tufts were seldom visible. The 

 whole bearing of this Owl appeared to be unassuming and gentle, 

 and it does not seem to be jDossessed of that voracity which is 

 common to most of the other species of this family. It was only 

 at times I could coax him to eat raw meat, and unless this was 

 cut up fine he would not touch it. He drank water freely, and 

 rather delighted to dabble in it. The flight of this bird was 

 perfectly noiseless. During the twilight he was particularly active, 

 and wandered from one corner of his apartment to the other, but 

 without the slightest sound. Unfortunately for the poor bird, he 



sandy i>land, the effect of the combined influence of an absence of shade and the increased light 

 caused by reflection from the light-colored sand. The influence of similar circumstances is seen on 

 a large scale in the birds and mammals of the Colorado desert and the arid peninsula of Lower 

 California, and in less degree on the open arid plains of the middle region of the continent. (Allen, 

 Bulletin Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv. Colleg., Camb., Mass. II. No. 3, p. 341.) 



