A NORWEGIAN PROVERB. 113 



The tawny owl (Strix aluco). Common in most 

 parts of Norway, where it is called the kat-ugle, or 

 cat-owl. Pontoppidan speaking of it says, "This owl's 

 head is more like a cat's than a bird's. The female 

 lays two eggs, and if one changes them for hens' eggs 

 the owl will hatch the eggs, but will eat the young 

 ones as soon as she perceives they are not her own. 

 This owl fights with the cat, and they do not leave off 

 until one is killed, so that their rivalry is not abated 

 by their resembling each other. This circumstance 

 reminds me of the Norsk saying, " Frende er frende 

 vaarst," or, " Relations are the worst friends." 



This owl in Norway frequents the shady recesses of 

 the forest, where it builds its nest on the highest pines. 

 Partially migrates. 



The long-eared owl (Otus vulgaris, Fleming) is found 

 in all parts of this country, excepting in Nordland and 

 Finmark. It keeps to woods of deciduous trees, in 

 which it makes its nest, and often takes forcible pos- 

 session of the nests of the crow and wood-pigeon. 

 Partially migrates. 



The short- eared owl (Strix brachyotus). Even more 

 common in Norway than the preceding species. In 

 summer it is found among the fjelds of Norwegian 

 Lapland, where it nests in the rushes on marshy ground. 

 Its cry is said to resemble the barking of a dog. Mi- 

 grates. 



The Ural owl (S. Uralensis, Pallas) is only found 

 in Finmark or Norwegian Lapland. Its colour is white, 

 spangled on the back and wings with brown ; the 

 under surface of the body is white, pencilled very 

 evenly with pale brown ; tail white, barred with black- 

 ish-brown. Length twenty-five inches. 



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