146 OWLS. 



glancing through the twilight, or hunting for food in a bright 

 moonlight night, that we can scarcely be surprised at the 

 strange opinions and prejudices of ignorant or superstitious 

 people. Generally speaking, however, a more harmless, wo 

 may say a more useful, race of birds does not exist ; since, 

 with the exception of one or two of the larger and rarer 

 species, their food consists entirely of vermin and insects very 

 prejudicial to our crops, and which, but for these nocturnal 

 hunters, might do serious mischief. A striking instance of 

 their utility occurred some years ago in the neighbourhood of 

 Bridgewater, in Somersetshire, where, during the summer, such 

 incredible numbers of mice overran the country as to destroy 

 a large portion of vegetation ; and their ravages might have 

 extended to an alarming degree, had it not been for a sudden 

 assemblage of Owls, which resorted from all parts to prey 

 upon them. Short-eared Owls, to the number of twenty-eight, 

 have been counted in a single field, collected together, no 

 doubt, by swarms of mice, which in a favourable season had 

 been bred there. This particular Owl for the most part fre- 

 quents England between the months of October and April, 

 migrating in the spring to the northern islands of Scotland, 

 where they breed. Its usual and favourite food is, as we have 

 observed, field-mice ; but they are bold, powerful birds, and 

 when their young are to be provided for, will chase Pigeons, 

 and even larger birds, in the open day, particularly if the 

 weather is gloomy. In a nest containing only two unfledged 

 young ones, the remains of a Grouse and two Plovers were 

 found, besides the feet of several others. 



During their visits to this country, they are usually to be 

 met with on wild heaths and commons, concealed in rushy 

 places or long grass : a pair, and sometimes more, possibly 

 the brood of the preceding spring, are usually found fre- 

 quenting the same haunts. When first disturbed, they seldom 

 fly far, but either hover over the dog, if there be one, or alight, 

 and depressing their two odd feathery horns (from whence 

 they are called Eared Owls), they fix their large round eyes 

 intently on the object of their alarm. As a specimen of these 



