THE SHORT-EARED OWL 269 



snakes, lizards, and other reptiles ; and they may 

 be seen quartering the ground with great regu- 

 larity and perseverance in search of supplies. 



For the photographs of the nests of the 

 Montagu Harrier and the following species, I am 

 indebted to the Rev. M. C. H. Bird, who, during our 

 short stay in Norfolk, rendered the useful service 

 of showing us the locality of the two nests. 



The Short-eared Owl, unlike most members of 

 the same family, prefers -large open moors and 

 fens of the open country, so that the farther north 

 we go the more numerous does the species 

 become. 



In Scotland during 1890-1891 there was a 

 plague of field-voles, and also a great increase of 

 Short-eared Owls. Where only one or two pairs 

 had nested in ordinary seasons, they were then to 

 be counted in dozens ; four hundred pairs were 

 said to have taken up their abode. The number 

 of eggs they laid also very largely increased. At 

 other times, when field-voles and other small 

 rodents have increased greatly, this Owl has made 

 its appearance in large numbers. 



During the autumn their numbers are added to 

 by others coming from the Continent. Sportsmen 

 often flush them when shooting over the ground 

 which they frequent, and they are called by their 



