THE LONG-EARED OWL. BIRDS. THE SHORT-EARED OWL. 



269 



itching sensation which takes place in the curative 

 stage. For this purpose the head is rubbed upon a 

 stone with water, which, thus impregnated, is received 

 into a vessel, from which an attendant spurts a quantity 

 of it on the body from time to time." 



THE CEYLONESE EAEED-OW1 (Ketupa ceylonensis), 

 a second species of the genus above referred to, is 

 found not only in Ceylon, but also in most parts of 

 India. It is a large and powerful bird, which resem- 

 bles the preceding species in its habits, and, like it, 

 sometimes flies by day. Its principal activity is dur- 

 ing the twilight, and at that time it emits its hoarse 

 cry, which is described as resembling a harsh repulsive 

 laugh, expressed by the syllables haw, haw, haw, ho ! 

 The third species (K. javanensis) appears to be pecu- 

 liar to Java. 



THE LONG-EARED OWL (Otus vulgaris) Plate 4, 

 fig 10 which is not an uncommon species in Britain, 

 occurs also in most parts of the northern hemisphere. 

 It inhabits the continent of Europe generally, and in 

 France is the most common of all the owls. Eastward 

 it extends its range as far as India, and towards the 

 south it is found in the northern parts of Africa. It is 

 also an abundant bird in the United States of America 

 and in Canada, reaching as far north as the Hudson's 

 Bay territory, but apparently only advancing to such 

 high latitudes during the summer. In other places it 

 does not appear to be migratory. 



Wherever it occurs the Long-eared Owl always takes 

 up its abode in wooded districts, usually preferring thick 

 plantations of evergreen trees, or adopting the thick 

 covering of ivy which often covers old trees in large 

 woods, for its diumal hiding-place. Unlike the gene- 

 rality of the owls, which are rather noisy birds, the 

 Long-eared Owl rarely lets his voice be heard, at least 

 after he has arrived at the age of discretion ; the young 

 birds, however, are rather clamorous, emitting a loud 

 and rather shrill, but somewhat plaintive cry, even after 

 they have quitted the nest. This species is strictly 

 nocturnal, rarely moving in the daytime except when 

 disturbed in its retreat, but at night it is active in search 

 I of its prey, which consists of rats, mice, moles, and 

 similar small four-footed game, together with insects and 

 small birds. The latter it is said to capture by snatching 

 them from their roosting-places, and, indeed, it is dif- 

 ficult to imagine how it could obtain them in any other 

 way. However this may be, the finches, warblers, and 

 other small birds seem to regard the owl in the light 

 of an enemy, and show the greatest animosity towards 

 him whenever they have an opportunity for such a dis- 

 play of their feelings. If he should by chance prolong 

 his predatory excursions, so as to be surprised by the 

 garish light of day when still at a distance from his 

 favourite haunts, and thus be compelled to take refuge 

 in some such imperfect shelter as a hedge or bush 

 affords the discovery, almost certain to take place, of 

 the unfortunate sleeper in his temporary lodging, is the 

 signal for a simultaneous rising amongst all the small 

 birds in the neighbourhood, who flock to the place and 

 raise such a commotion as rarely fails to cause the owl 

 to change his quarters ; and should he be at such a 

 distance from the thick woods and plantations as to 

 render his reaching them very difficult, or even im- 



possible, while his senses are dimmed by the unwonted 

 glare, the disturbance will sometimes last until the 

 shades of evening put a stop to it. by dismissing the 

 little persecutors to their roosting-places, and placing 

 the owl in a position to avenge himself for their insults 

 if they still ventured to continue their annoyance. 



The Long-eared Owl builds early in the season ; the 

 young being frequently hatched in April. It rarely 

 builds a nest for itself, being content to lay either in 

 the hole of a tree, or more commonly in the deserted 

 nest of some other bird of suitable size such as the 

 rook, the crow, or the' woodpigeon which it usually 

 repairs roughly by the addition of a stick or two. The 

 eggs are four in number, and, like those of the owls in 

 general, pure white. 



THE SHORT-EASED OWL (Otus brachyotus), like 

 the long-eared owl, is met with pretty abundantly 

 in the northern parts of both hemispheres, inhabiting 

 the higher latitudes during the summer, and migrating 

 southwards as the cold weather approaches. In this 

 country the Short-eared Owl is a permanent resident, 

 that is to say, many individuals remain with us through- 

 out the year, and build in some parts of the kingdom ; 

 but their numbers receive a great increase in the 

 autumn by an immigration from the northern parts of 

 Europe, especially the Scandinavian peninsula. This 

 immigration occurs at the same period with that of the 

 woodcocks, and hence this bird is sometimes called the 

 Woodcock Owl. In the spring there is a migration in 

 the opposite direction, many individuals returning to 

 their northern home, to pass the summer and breed. 



This species measures from fourteen to fifteen inches 

 in length. It has a small head, adorned with a pair 

 of little tufts, which, like those of the other Eared- 

 owls, can be elevated or depressed at pleasure. The 

 facial discs are complete, and composed of light-brown 

 feathers, which are nearly black at their base, forming 

 a dark ring round each eye ; the plumage of the head, 

 neck, back, and wings is dark brown, with the edges 

 of the feathers fawn-colour ; the primaries of the wings 

 and the tail feathers are pale, barred with dark brown ; 

 and the lower surface of the body is pale buff, with 

 patches and streaks of dark brown. 



Unlike the long-eared owl, this species does not 

 shelter itself in the woods and plantations, but frequents 

 the open country, and rests upon the ground in fields, 

 and on commons, heaths, and moors. Here it lies close 

 amongst the herbage and stubble of the turnip and 

 corn fields, and the heath and other plants of its wilder 

 haunts ; in the former situations it is frequently flushed 

 by sportsmen, when partridge -shooting late in the 

 autumn. In the winter, when the frost has cut off 

 much of the vegetation on the open grounds, this owl 

 takes shelter at the bottom of the hedge-rows. Its 

 ordinary food consists of small quadrupeds and birds, 

 which it captures at night ; although, when disturbed 

 during the day-time, it does not seem to be so much 

 inconvenienced by the glare as some of its allies. In 

 the Orkneys, indeed, according to Mr. Low, it even 

 pursues its prey during the day. That writer says, " It 

 is impudent in breeding-time, sometimes catching up 

 chickens from the doors -I have likewise seen it in chase 

 of pigeons in daylight, which is not ordinary with the 



