20 



It builds in hollow trees, or takes, like many other 

 species, possession of a deserted nest. 



The female lays 4 or 5 white eggs : the young are 

 at first white. 



Its prey is mice and small birds. 



3. BRACHYOTOS. SHORT EARED OWL. 



S. Auriculala ferrugineO'jlavescens, fusco varia, pen- 

 nis auricular ibusangustis,cauda maculis subocel- 

 lalis. Shaw. 



The bill is dusky ; the irides bright yellow ; a cir- 

 cle of black runs round the eye ; the ears are of three 

 feathers of a pale brown, or tawny colour; the breast 

 and belly pale yellow marked with dark streaks ; the 

 legs and feet are covered with pale yellow feathers; 

 the claws are black; the tail feathers are ocellated. 



Length 14 inches, extent 3 feet, weight 1 loz. 



Migratory, appearing in October, and departing 

 in spring. 



It is generally found amongst long grass, and has 

 not been observed to perch on trees. 



Feeds chiefly on field mice. 



We have seen an owl similar to this, in Westmoreland, 

 where it is called the fell-owl. In one which we shot on 

 Stanemoor, in August, the ears were not discernable, pro- 

 bably it might be a young bird. W. 



