Kestrel's nest in a rock overhanging the road 

 between Kenlochewe and Gairloch, in Ross-shire. 



LONG-EASED OWL. 

 Case 49. 



This species is common in most parts of the 

 country, being found, however, to be more plenti- 

 ful wherever there are fir plantations of any size. 



Unlike the Short-eared Owl, these birds are 

 seldom seen by day. Soon after sunset they leave 

 the shelter of the woods, and search the adjacent 

 fields and hedge rows for their prey. 



When I lived in East Lothian, I used to 

 observe these owls during the summer, coming 

 regularly at dusk to the stacks for rats and mice, 

 though the woods where they nested were at a 

 distance of nearly two miles. 



The young birds have a particularly sad and 

 plaintive whistle (something resembling a deep- 

 drawn sigh), when calling for their food. Where 

 there are several broods in the same plantation, the 

 effect of their wailing cries is anything but lively, 

 when listened to on a still night in the gloomy 

 depths of the pine woods ; the mournful notes 

 breaking out first on one side, then on another, and 

 finally being answered from all quarters at once. 



This species ocpasionally preys upon young 

 birds. I one evening noticed a Long-eared Owl 

 making several visits to a boat- shed on one of the 

 broads in Norfolk, and on examining the place the 

 next morning, I discovered that a brood of young 

 swallows had disappeared during the night. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in 

 the neighbourhood of Norwich, in June, 1871. 



See " Itough Notes," Vol. I., Plate 20. 



