24 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



taken in a trap placed at the entrance of a burrow 

 when making its exit thence. 1 Whether they entered 

 the holes for concealment, or for the purpose of 

 carrying off young rabbits, the observer was not able 

 to determine. There can be no doubt that the 

 Short -eared Owl would take young rabbits where 

 the opportunity occurred ; but as it is seldom 

 found in England except between the months 

 of September and April, it cannot commit that 

 havoc amongst young game birds of which, in 

 common with other Owls, it has been so frequently 

 accused. 



1 Thomson's Natural History of Ireland (Birds], vol. i. p. 91. 



