170 OWLS AND OWL-LIKE BIRDS. 



and the like, it is to be looked for where these 

 abound, and is most easily observed in meadows, 

 where it hunts often quite close to the ground, or 

 beats over the hedgerows, pouncing upon the un- 

 wary mouse that strays from cover. It also takes 

 small birds and surface-swimming fish. Few country 

 places are without their Barn Owl, which, being a 

 permanent resident and a notorious disturber of the 

 public peace in the quiet hours, soon advertises its 

 whereabouts. 



TAWNY OWL 15 inches. A brown Owl of the woods, 

 nocturnal in habit. Cry, clearly spoken ' Too- whit ! ' and 

 long-drawn, hollow ' Too-hoo-oo ! ' frequently uttered in 

 the evening. 



LONG-EARED OWL 14 inches. A buffy-brown Owl of 

 nocturnal habit, generally inhabiting dark fir-clumps ; 

 has ear-like tufts of feathers on head. Cry, a cat-like 

 mewing and a sharp bark. 



SHORT-EARED OWL 15 inches. A ground-nester, haunt- 

 ing open lands, over which it hunts close to the ground 

 both by day and by night ; has smaller head than other 

 Owls, with short ear-tufts. Cry, like a bark. 



TAWNY OWL. Form and colour-scheme gener- 

 ally, resembling those of the Long-Eared Owl (plate 

 79), but without ear- tufts and ruddier. Length, 15 

 inches. Upper parts ruddy-brown, mottled with dark 

 brown and gray, mixed with white on the nape, and 

 having two rows of large white spots on the wings ; 

 bill light ; eyes blackish-blue ; facial disc grayish, with 

 brown border ; under parts tawny- whitish, mottled 

 with pale brown and streaked with dark brown ; 

 larger wing-feathers and the tail-feathers barred across 

 alternately with ruddy and dark brown ; legs and 



