BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 255 



found a Short-eared Owl sitting upon twelve eggs 

 on February 29th, 1892. The ground was covered 

 with snow at the time, and seventeen dead Voles 

 were lying upon it near the nest. This is very 

 early for the species to breed, and, curiously 

 enough, Mr. W. H. Hudson, in his " Naturalist 

 in La Plata/' says that during a plague of mice 

 in South America Short-eared Owls bred in the 

 middle of winter. White, and oval in form. Size 

 about 1.6 by 1.28 in. Easily distinguished by 

 nesting site. 



Time.' April and May. 



Remarks. Resident and migratory, its numbers 

 being swollen in winter by the arrival of more 

 northern breeders. Notes : a shrill cry and snap- 

 ping of the beak when the nest or young are in 

 danger. Local and other names : Woodcock Owl, 

 Hawk Owl, Mousehawk, Short -horned Howlet, 

 Horned Oolert. A close sitter. During dull days 

 I have frequently seen the old birds hunting for 

 food for their young ones, both on the Norfolk 

 Broads and in the Outer Hebrides. 



YOUNG SHORT-EARED OWL AND EGGS. 



