250 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



dark brown, and black. Upper side of tail rusty- 

 red, barred and speckled with dark brown ; breast 

 and belly greyish-white, mixed with pale brown, 

 and streaked and barred with dark brown. Under 

 tail-coverts, and feathers on legs and toes, pale 

 yellowish-brown ; claws same colour as beak. 



The female is similar in plumage, but is some- 

 what larger. 



Situation and Locality. The old nest of a Crow, 

 Heron, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, or the disused drey 

 of a Squirrel, in plantations of firs, and in woods 

 and forests containing evergreens, sparingly in suit- 

 able localities throughout the United Kingdom. 

 In woods where none of the creatures above men- 

 tioned breed the Long-Eared Owl lays her eggs 

 upon the ground under heather, stunted firs, or 

 some kind of cover. It has been stated that this 

 species breeds in North Uist, but I do not think 

 this is the case. I have met with it breeding in the 

 Highlands, East Anglia, and the south of England. 



Materials. None. 



Eggs. Three to seven, generally four or five. 

 White, oval, and smooth. Size about 1.65 by 1.3 

 in. Not likely to be confused with those of any 

 other bird except Ring Dove ; but their number 

 and the appearance of the layer will readily settle 

 the point. 



Time. March, April, and May. 



Remarks. Resident, and also migratory. Note, 

 a deep hoot. When young ones are approached, 

 the old birds, ever on the watch, sometimes begin 

 to perform the strangest antics. Whilst in the 

 Highlands on one occasion I was shown the young 

 owls figured opposite by a gamekeeper. The parent 

 birds resented my attentions to their offspring, and 



