I'.AKN-OWL 401 



ure also uned as the nurseries for the young. The labourH of nest- 

 building it dispenses with, the only semblance of such a structure 

 ln-iiig formed of thf .MM up pellets already referred to. In places 

 remote from civilisation, as in Malin Head and Mine Head, Ireland, 

 also in Wales and in California, it herds in cavities in cliffs, and a 

 ra-c i-, on record where a pah adopted tin- d.^.-rl.-d nrM ofaerow. 1 

 The eggs, as in the case of all the owls, are white, and are laid, as a 

 rule, between May and July; occasionally they are found as early as 

 March, or even earlier, and young have been found in the nest as 

 lute as November and December. Clutches range in number from 

 six to ten, but the latter number is rare : such clutches have.fcofc'f ver; 

 been taken both in England and in California. Doubtless, as in the 

 case of other birds, the number laid depends on the food-supply. 

 Evidence on this head we shall produce presently. The eggs appear 

 to be laid on alternate days, and incubation commences at oiice. 

 Thus owlets of at least three different stages may be found in the 

 same nursery, the warmth of the earlier birds no doubt materially 

 aiding the development of the unhatched chicks while the parents 

 are abroad on the quest for food. As many as six fresh eggs have 

 been found with these nestlings. As we have already pointed out, 

 the young are clothed, on hatching, in a short white down, which is 

 quickly replaced by a longer, woolly covering, to be thrust out later 

 by the contour feathers constituting the "juvenile " plumage, though 

 this is indistinguishable from that of the adults. 



The young, when disturbed, make a loud snoring noise, though 

 this is also emitted, at times, by the adults. The usual note of the 

 old birds, however, is a wild scream. When alarmed, they SJPB silent, 

 save for a curious snapping noise, made under similar circumstances 

 by all owls, by rapidly and forcibly snapping the jaws together, and 

 uhde this snapping is in progress the body is drooped, and the head 

 bowed down and moved from side to side in a curious and uncanny 

 fashion. 



1 Bird* of Ireland, p. 115. 



