56 OUR RESIDENT BIRDS 



Language. A monotonous " cu-cu." 



Habits. Rather diurnal. It resembles the other 

 Owls very closely, but is, if anything, even more grotesque 

 and comical, and is consequently a favourite pet. 



Food. Small birds and mammals, also insects. 



Nest. May. 



Site. Hole in wall, tree or ground. 



Eggs. Four or six. White and round in shape. 



LONG-EARED OWL (Asio otus). 



Fairly well distributed in England ; common in the 

 pine woods of Scotland, and in Ireland. 



Haunts. Woodland districts. 



Observation. Distinguish from Tawny Owl by " long 

 ears." 



Plumage. Two tufts of feathers on the head (hence 

 Long-eared). Upper parts buffish, speckled and ver- 

 miculated with dark brown, ashy, and white. Facial 

 disc yellowish brown with blackish margin. Wings and 

 tail barred with brown and grey ; under parts buff 

 streaked with brown. Bill blackish. Legs covered with 

 fawn-coloured feathers. Length 15 in. Female, larger 

 and darker. Young, at first covered with yellowish grey 

 down, faintly barred with brown. 



Language. Rather a silent bird, but it gives a mellow 

 kind of hoot ; also another utterance like the mewing of 

 a cat. 



Habits. Flight buoyant and noiseless ; when alarmed 

 the tufts are erected. It closely resembles the Barn 

 Owl, but more arboreal. 



Food. Small birds and mammals, moths and beetles. 



Nest. February or March. One brood. 



Site. Never in holes. Usually it selects an old 

 Crow's or Magpie's nest or squirrel's drey, patches it up, 

 and lines it with feathers and down. 



Eggs. Four to six. White, smooth, and nearly 

 spherical in shape. 



