48 BRITISH BIRDS 
barred with shades of brown. In the red type the upper parts 
are reddish-brown with the pattern much 
as in the grey type, and the under-parts chiefly 
dull white with dusky streaks and paler bars, 
The wing quills and tail are brown barred 
chiefly with shades of the same colour. The tail 
is tipped with white. The female is the larger. 
Nest. None made. The eggs are laid 
usually in the hole of a tree, also in recesses 
or crevices in buildings and cliffs, old nests of 
other species, such as Hawks and Crows, among 
the exposed roots of trees, and in burrows. 
, Eggs. Usually 2-4. White. Av. size, 1°84 
Fig. 56. x 152 in. Laying begins generally in March. 
One brood, possibly two occasionally. 
93. Little-owl [Athene noctua noctua (Scopoli)]. Resident 
and on the increase, owing to introduction by Lord Lilford 
and others. Breeds only in England and Wales. Exceptional 
vagrant to Scotland and Ireland. Possibly an occasional 
visitor from the Continent. 
Bird. Length 9-94 in., the female the larger. Distinguished 
from the other British owls described in this book by its much 
smaller size, and by the white spots on the brown of the upper- 
parts, forming lines and bars. Under-parts mostly dull white 
with brown streaks. Wing quills and tail brown with paler 
bars. Irides pale yellow. 
Nest. None made. Eggs laid in a hole in a tree, building, 
or elsewhere, or in a burrow. 
Eggs. Usually 4-6. White. Av. size, 134x113. Laid 
April-May. One brood usual, 
(6) Family: Alcedinide—Kingfishers 
94. Kingfisher [Alcedo ispida ispida 
Linneeus]. Rare in N. Scotland and 
Ireland. Elsewhere local and more or less 
stationary. 
Bird. Length 7} in. Recognised by 
the prevailing brilliant blues of the back, 
wings, and tail, by the chestnut of the 
under-parts and the relatively long black 
beak. Throat white, bordered above on 
each side of the neck and head by a blue 
band, above which is a patch of white 
passing into a patch of chestnut behind 
the eye. Female has under mandible red. 
