260 LORD LILFORD 



1 Whilst on the subject of owls, I may add 

 that for several years past I have annually set 

 at liberty a considerable number of the Little 

 Owl, properly so called {Athene noctua), from 

 Holland, and that several pairs of these most 

 amusing birds have nested and reared broods in 

 the neighbourhood of Lilford. It is remarkable 

 that although this species is abundant in 

 Holland, and by no means uncommon in cer- 

 tain parts of France, Belgium, and Germany, 

 it has been rarely met with in a wild state 

 in our country. I trust, however, that I have 

 now fully succeeded in establishing it as a 

 Northamptonshire bird, and earnestly entreat 

 all present who may have the opportunity to 

 protect and encourage these birds. They are 

 excellent mouse-catchers, and very bad neigh- 

 bours to young sparrows in their nests ; therefore, 

 valuable friends to farmers and gardeners. The 

 nest of this owl is generally placed either in a 

 hollow tree, at no great height from the ground, 

 or in vacant spaces in the masonry of old build- 

 ings. The parent birds are very bold in defence 

 of their young, and a neighbour of ours has had 

 his hat knocked off by one of these Little Owls 



