CHAPTER SEVEN OWLS &> RATS 



AMONGST the migratory birds that pass the 

 winter in this country is the short-eared owl, 

 S^ryx drackyoius:* harriveslnOctoher, some- 

 times in flights of some number. I have heard 

 from perfectly good authority of sixteen or seventeen of 

 these birds having been found in one turnip-field on the 

 eastcoast, evidently havingjust arrived. It is along-winged 

 bird, and more active in its manner of flight than most of 

 the other owls, nor is it so completely nocturnal. I saw one 

 of this kind hunting a rushy field and regularly beating it 

 for prey at midday. The owl was so intent on his pursuit 

 that he flew straight in my direction and nearly close to me 

 before he observed me. When he did so, he darted off with 

 great quickness and with a most hawk-like flight, but too 

 late to escape. I killed him (though it is against my usual 

 rule to shoot at an owl) because he appeared to me to be of 

 a different species from any with which I was acquainted. 

 Before I shot him he had put up and made a dash at a snipe, 

 but did not follow up his pursuit, probably perceiving that 

 it wouldbeuseless. I have very frequently flushed this kind 

 of owl in rushes, furze, and other low cover. When put up, 

 instead of being distressed and confused by the light of the 

 sun, he flies boldly and steadily away. Sometimes I have 

 seen one, when put up, rise high in the air and fly straight 

 away until I could no longer distinguish him. 



The owls that breed here are the long-eared owl, the 

 tawny owl, and the barn-owl. Thelatter, though so common 

 in England, is by far the rarest in this country. 



Thelong-eared owl is a fine bold bird, and his bright yel- 



*In modern classification the short-eared owl is named Asio accipitrinus. — Ed. 



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