90 RAPTORES. OTUS. EARED OWL. 



The head of this Owl being smaller than the generality of 

 its fellow species, has procured it, in some parts, the name of 

 Hawk Owl, or Mouse Hawk. Many ornithologists have 

 been in doubt respecting it, and the synonyms are conse- 

 quently in some confusion and obscurity. They appear to 

 have been deceived by the dissimilar aspect of the head be- 

 tween the living and dead bird, as it is only in the first state 

 that the horns or ears are visible. 



Food. Their principal food with us consists of field-mice ; but 

 from Mr Low^s account (as before quoted), it should seem 

 that they do not always confine themselves to such diet. 

 MONTAGU also mentions one, in whose craw he found part of 

 a lark, and a yellow hammer *. When first disturbed, they 

 fly to a short distance, look intently at the object of their 

 alarm, at the same time visibly erecting their horns. If a 

 dog be in company, they hover above it, uttering at the same 

 time a querulous and impatient cry. When wounded, they 

 defend themselves with the same resolution, and in the same 

 manner as the preceding species. 



This Owl is of wide locality, being met with in Siberia, 

 and in many parts of North America ; and specimens are also 

 mentioned as having been brought from the Sandwich Is- 

 lands. 





 PLATE 21 . The bird here represented measured fifteen inches 



in length, and three feet across the extended wings. 

 General Bill bluish black ; elliptically curved ; and with a broad 

 tion. nP rounded culmen. Irides bright gamboge-yellow. Fea- 



thers covering the nostrils, white, with black shafts. 

 Circle immediately above the eyes brownish-black. 

 Cheeks yellowish-brown, the shafts and ends of the 



in their old haunts, to which they appear to return very regularly ; and 

 the female, with a young bird, was procured ; the young could only fly for 

 srxty or seventy yards." 



* MONT. Ornith. Diet. Supplement, article Short-eared On-L 



