174 OWLS AND OWL-LIKE BIRDS. 



Distribution. Sparingly in south-west England, 

 Wales, and East Anglia ; more frequent on the 

 moorlands northwards ; commonest in Scotland ; not 

 in Ireland. In winter throughout British Isles 

 generally, often in stubble lands and turnip-fields. 



The Short-Eared Owl breeds chiefly in the north of 

 England and in Scotland, and is known throughout 

 the British Isles generally as a winter migrant. 

 Frequenting the open country, where it hunts low 

 over the ground in search of birds, and of mice 

 and similar ground-life ; going abroad in the day- 

 time as well as at evening ; nesting on the open 

 ground in the tufty herbage of the marsh or the 

 heather of the moor, it is likely to be confused with 

 the Harriers rather than with other Owls, the more so 

 because of the reduced size of the head in the Short- 

 Eared Owl, and the inconspicuous head-tufts. It has 

 a free flight, into which it introduces at times some- 

 thing of the twist that marks the flight of the Wood- 

 cock. It has a loud, laughing yell, repeated several 

 times in succession, and a hollow, baying hoot, besides 

 uttering hissing and clicking noises when in anger. 

 It is seldom, if ever, that this bird perches in a tree, 

 being distinctly of a ground habit. 



LONG-EARED OWL 14 inches ; colour-scheme resembling 

 generally that of the Short-Eared Owl, but has 2-inch 

 head-tufts, and the streaks on the under parts are in 

 part crossed by little straight bars ; arboreal and noc- 

 turnal in habit. 



NIGHTJAR. Plate 80. 10 J inches. General 

 colour ashy-gray, finely spotted and barred throughout 

 with black, dark and ruddy brown ; heavy white spot 



