206 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



feathers during the operation. In this instance, 

 however, I experienced no trouble, and was 

 fortunate enough to complete the job with the 

 loss of but a very few feathers, and those of little 

 or no consequence I am therefore inclined to 

 the supposition that the feathers of some varieties 

 of the owl tribe are more firmly rooted than others. 

 Both this and the short-eared owl are able to see 

 equally well in the daytime as at night. This 

 bird is not so common as the white, the tawny, or 

 the short-eared owl at all events, not in this 

 country, though the Rev. C. A. Johns states that it 

 is very common in France, and that it is held in 

 detestation by all other birds, which take every 

 opportunity of mobbing and molesting it, by- 

 reason of its thievish propensities. My acquaint- 

 ance with this variety of owl has been but slight, 

 and I have had no opportunity of witnessing these 

 attacks, though I can readily imagine that, if the 

 character it bears is deserved, it would, like other 

 birds given to cause annoyance to the weaker 

 members of the feathered community, be subjected 

 to no small degree of co-operative molestation, in 

 like manner as are hawks, crows, and such-like 

 pirates, when the opportunity offers itself for 

 retaliation. 



When * the leaves are paling yellow or kindling 

 into red,' the short-eared owl, the companion of 

 the woodcock, makes its appearance in this 

 country, and in some districts, and at times, in 

 considerable numbers. On first rising, especially 



