EARED OWLS 1917 



portions of its range it takes place in March or April. In defense of their eggs or 

 young, both sexes of the short-eared owl display but little boldness, usually circling 

 round and round the intruder, uttering a shrill cry, accompanied by a snapping of 

 the beak, but not making any attempt at a direct attack. 



As its name implies, the long-eared owl (A. otus) belongs to a group 

 of which there are three or four representatives, characterized by the 

 great length of the ear tufts, which are about as long as the third toe 

 and claw. From its beautifully mottled plumage, of which the general color above 

 is blackish brown variegated with orange buff, while beneath it is orange brown 

 streaked and barred with black, this owl is one of the handsomest of the British 

 species. The facial disc is dusky white, with hair-like lines of brown, while imme- 

 diately round the eyes the feathers are blackish. The head is finely mottled dusky 

 and tawny; and both the quills and tail feathers are barred with dark brown, the 

 number of such bands on the tail being seven. The bill is dusky horn color, and 

 the iris of the eye orange yellow. In size this owl is rather inferior to the short- 

 eared species, its total length being thirteen and one-half inches. The typical form 

 of the long-eared owl is distributed all over Europe as far north as the 64th parallel, 

 while southward it ranges to North Africa in winter, and eastward it extends to 

 China, Japan, and Northwestern India. In North America, as far south as Mexico, 

 it is replaced by the American long-eared owl, regarded by Dr. Sharpe as a mere 

 variety, but considered by Captain Bendire and others to represent a distinct species 

 {A. americanus}. It is distinguished from the European form by the darker tone 

 of the entire plumage, and by the white feathers of the breast being striped down 

 the middle with brown, and barred on the sides with the same tint. The European 

 long-eared owl is a forest-dwelling bird; and while in Britain it is resident through 

 the year, on the Continent and eastward it is more or less migratory. On the Con- 

 tinent it is much more numerous in winter than summer; and it is not unfrequent in 

 the former season to see parties of from ten to sixteen, or even more, together; such 

 parties assembling in the open fields. In England a pair of these birds always keep 

 to one particular wood. Unlike the majority of its kindred, this owl is a silent bird, 

 making little or no noise, except when young; on which account its presence is 

 often unsuspected in districts where it may be comparatively common. It nearly 

 always nests in woods, frequently selecting a deserted squirrel's drey or crow's nest 

 in which to deposit its four or five eggs; the usual laying time being March. Al- 

 though mainly nocturnal, this species is not exclusively so, Mr. Tuke observing that 

 in Yorkshire he has met it " in the woods, sailing quietly along, as if hawking, on 

 a bright sunny day. ' ' In their nests the same observer has detected remains of 

 numerous small birds, as well as the foot of a young hare or rabbit. Both in Europe 

 and America their chief food consists, however, of the various kinds of smaller 

 rodents, although, where frogs are numerous, these also contribute to the menu. 

 In America, Captain Bendire states that very few of the nests are built by the birds 

 themselves, but one which had been thus constructed was formed of twigs of willows 

 and aspens, and was remarkable for the depth of the cup, which was lined with 

 hair. In mountainous regions it is stated that nests are occasionally made on cliffs. 

 Writing of the American form, the observer just referred to states that "in the day- 



