OWLS | 47 
90. Longeared-owl [Asio otus otus (Linneus)]}. Resident in 
many woodland districts. 
Bird. Length 14 in. Distinguished by the 
long so-called “ears” (14 in.). Sexes much 
alike except that the female is larger. Iris 
yellow, in which this ow] differs from the tawny 
and barn-owls, which have the irides dark brown. 
Upper-parts buff with dusky streaks and 
vermiculations and paler mottlings. Wing and 
tail quills have dusky bars. Under-parts mainly 
buff with dusky striations, bars and vermicula- 
tions. 
Nest. None made. The eggs are usually laid 
in the deserted nest of Crows or Hawks and 
other large species, and in squirrels’ dreys ; also 
on the ground. 
figgs. Usually 3-5. White. Av. size, 158x162. Laying 
begins March-April, exceptionally earlier. One brood usual. 
91. Shorteared-owl [Aso flammeus jlammeus (Pontop- 
pidan); <Asio accipitrinus (Pallas)]. Resident chiefly on the 
northern moors. Exceptional in Ireland. Also winter visitor 
and bird of passage. 
Bird. Length 144 in. Distinguished from the 
longeared by the short “ears,” the absence of 
bars on the under-parts, which are pale buff 
streaked with brown, and by its habitat, which 
is the open country, moors, fens, and the like, that 
of the longeared being woodland. The female is 
larger and is somewhat darker. Upper parts buff 
blotched and streaked with brown. Disc brownet 
than that of the longeared form. Wings and tail 
pale buff barred with dark brown. Irides yellow. 
Nest. None made, except it be a scratch in the 
ground. The eggs are laid on the ground in a__—*‘FFig. 55. 
marsh, on moorland, sand-dunes, or pasture. 
iggs. Usually 4-7. White. Av. size, 157x121. Laying 
begins March-April, exceptionally earlier. Broods 1-2, some- 
times 3. 
92. Tawny-owl, brown-owl, wood-owl [Strix aluco aluco 
Linnezeus ; Syrniwm aluco (Linneus)]. Stationary in wooded 
districts of Great Britain. Absent Ireland. 
Bird. Length 15-18 in. Distinguished from the barn-owl 
by its brownish plumage, and the familiar note or hoot, the tu- 
whit, to-who of Shakespeare. The coloration varies between 
two distinct types—the grey and the red. The grey type has 
the body plumage grey streaked, mottled, and more or less 
