28 BRITISH rflKDS, THEIR J1GGS AND NESTS. 



24. EAGLE OWL (Bubo maximus.) 



This noble bird, the first on our list of British Owls, is so 

 occasionally and irregularly seen in Britain, that it can scarcely 

 claim lengthened notice at our hands. 



25 SCOPSEARED OWL. (Scops Aldrovandi). 

 Almost, or rather certainly, more rare than the preceding. 



20. LONG-EARED OWL. (Otus vulgaris}. 



Met with, though not very abundantly, in most parts of 

 England. Its ha ait during the day time is in ivy bushes, or 

 other retreats affording security from the access of much light. 

 Its nest is most frequently an appropriated old nest of the Crow 

 or Magpie; perhaps even what was once the breeding- home of the 

 squirrel; and in it are laid four or live eggs 1JJ inch long, by 

 1^ inch broad. It seeks its prey after sunset ; and as birds of 

 various kinds are known to form part of its food, it seems almost 

 certain that they must be taken as they sit at roost. What sad 

 jug-a-boos Horned Owls must be made to offending juveniles in 

 attle-bird nurseries. 



27. SHORT-EARED OWL (Otus brachyotus). 



Woodcock Owl, Short-horned Howiet, Mousehawk, Hawk 

 Owl. It breeds with us, but not very commonly, and many 

 seem to come over in the autumn, and they are then frequently 

 seen in a stubble, or otherwise roused by the sportsman. Its 

 nest is sometimes on the ground, and perhaps even in a rabbit- 

 burrow. The eggs are three in number, and scarcely differ the 

 least in size from those of the bird last named. Young Grouse 

 and other birds breeding about the moors are abundantly sup- 

 plied by the parent Owls to their young when the nest chances 

 to have been made in such a locality, and the old ones are very 

 jealous of seeing their progeny too nearly approached anil 

 expose themselves almost as fearlessly -on such occasions as 

 either Partridge or Grouse. Tiieir local name of Hawk-owl is 

 derived from the circumstance that they pursue their prey 

 regularly " hawking" for it during the day time 



28. BARN OWL (Strix flammed). 



White Owl, Yellow Owl, Screech Owl, Gilly Howiet, Howiet, 

 Madge Howiet, Church Owl, Hissing Owl. This common and 

 useful bird breeds by preference in some building or part of one ; 

 a church tower, dove-cot, ruined mansion, or castle, and the like. 



