202 WOODLAND CREATURES 



country (having been brought over from 

 Scandinavia by some well-meaning persons who 

 thought it would be an addition to our fauna), 

 we will return to our two native woodland 

 birds, which do live chiefly on mice, and do much 

 good by keeping these mischievous little rodents 

 within bounds. 



Before dealing further with the Brown Owl, 

 it may be as well if I give some particulars con- 

 cerning the Long-Eared Owl. This is a trifle 

 smaller bird than its tawny relative, and takes 

 its name from the two upright tufts of feathers 

 that adorn its head. These are most noticeable 

 when the bird is frightened or annoyed, as it 

 then puts them erect. It is a yellowish buff 

 in colour, beautifully striped and pencilled 

 with dark brown, and has the most wonderful 

 fierce orange eyes, never to be forgotten in their 

 intensity of colour. It is partial to pine woods, 

 and a fir plantation of any size is almost 

 certain to be tenanted by a pair of these owls. 

 It is not nearly so numerous as the Tawny Owl, 

 yet it is not uncommon, and these two species 

 certainly are our two common woodland owls, 

 which is why I am grouping them together in 

 this chapter. 



As usual with owls, the female Long-Eared is 

 a much finer bird than her mate. This applies 

 also to the Tawny, in which the hen is a head 

 and shoulders above her spouse. I have an idea 

 that both species pair for life, but admit that 

 it is impossible to bring forward any positive 



