PLATE I 

 SHORT-EARED OWL. Asia accipitrinus 



June 1899. Orkney. I was taken to see a Short-eared Owl's nest on the 

 shoulder of a hill near Kirkwall. We had a long walk before we came in 

 sight of the hill where the Owl was to be seen. She was not on the nest 

 when we arrived, nor did we catch a glimpse of her as long as we were there. 



The nest was merely a depression in the ground among the heather, 

 sparingly lined with a little moss, some dry grass, and one of the bird's own 

 feathers ; it was perfectly open, and the eggs could be seen from a distance 

 of many yards. 



VOL. iv. 2 M 133 



