86 RAPTORES. OTUS. EARED OWL- 



kind, are its favourite haunts, as in these it finds a secure 

 and sheltered retreat during the day. It also frequently in- 

 habits thick holly or ivy bushes, whose evergreen foliage en- 

 sures a similar retirement. It is an indigenous species, and 

 breeds early in spring ; not making any nest of its own, but 

 Nest, &c. taking possession of that of a Magpie or Crow. The eggs 

 are generally four or five in number, white, and rather larger 

 and rounder than those of the Ring-Dove. When first ex- 

 cluded, the young birds are covered with a fine and closely 

 set white down ; they remain in the nest for more than a 

 month before they are able to fly. If disturbed and handled, 

 they hiss violently, strike with their talons, and, at the same 

 time, make a snapping noise with their bills. When they 

 quit the nest, they take up their abode in some adjoining 

 tree, and, for many subsequent days, indeed for weeks, may 

 be heard after sunset uttering a plaintive but loud call for 

 food ; during which time the parent birds are seen diligently 

 employed in hawking for prey. 



Food. Mice and moles form the principal part of their proven- 



der ; though MONTAGU * says, that they seldom take small 

 birds on the roost. 



In the stomach of one individual, I found five skulls of 

 mice, which were, without doubt, the relics from its repast 

 of the previous night. This bird is of a resolute character, 

 and, when wounded, or taken by surprize, throws itself upon 

 its back, and makes a vigorous defence with its claws, hiss- 

 ing with violence, and snapping with its bill. In this situa- 

 tion, the ears are fully elevated, and projected forwards. 



It is pretty generally diffused throughout Europe ; and in 

 North America is found to inhabit the woods at a distance 

 from the sea. It has been observed as far northward as lati- 

 tude 60 ; and, as Dr RICHARDSON observes, " probably ex- 

 ists as high as the forests extend." 



* MONT. Ornith. Diet. vol. ii. 



