151 



without success. A detailed account, with a figure 

 of the species, appeared in the " Naturalist" for 

 August, 1855. Of its eggs or breeding-place 

 nothing is known. 



OWL, SCOPS-EAEED. 

 LITTLE HORNED OWL. 



STEIX SCOPS, Mont. 



This diminutive species is only an occasional 

 visitant in England, and that at very rare intervals. 

 It is common, however, in the warmer parts of 

 Europe during the summer months, but regularly 

 leaves them on the approach of autumn, for regions 

 nearer to the Equator. In France it arrives and 

 departs with the Swallow. Its favourite residence 

 in Italy is in the lower wooded regions. Field 

 and shrew mice, insects and earth-worms, are the 

 food in quest of which it sallies forth at night-fall, 

 uttering a peculiar cry, which resembles the word 

 " kew." Being one of those birds which constructs 

 no nest, it deposits its eggs, of which there are four 

 or five, in the hollow of a tree. Becoming very 

 tame when taken young, it is easily domesticated, 

 and its habits and manners are very interesting. 



