SCOPS EARED OWL. 121 



curred. It is, however, so rare, that little has been ob- 

 served of its habits here. It is believed, and with reason, 

 to be migratory, visiting us in summer, and retiring, be- 

 fore the cold weather commences, to the south of Europe 

 and to North Africa. It is said to be strictly nocturnal, 

 feeding upon mice, beetles, and large moths. It forms a 

 simple nest in the fissures of rocks, or in holes of trees, 

 laying from two to four or five eggs, which are white, one 

 inch three lines in length, by one inch and half a line in 

 breadth. 



One example of this little Owl was taken some time 

 since near London ; and I am indebted to Mr. Joseph 

 Clarke, of Saffron Walden, for the knowledge of the oc- 

 currence of two specimens on the estate of Lord Bray- 

 brooke, at Audley End in Essex. Dr. Hastings, in his Na- 

 tural History of Worcestershire, notices one that was taken 

 alive near Fladbury, and brought to the residence of the 

 late Mrs. Perrot, at Chantry. One shot in Yorkshire, is 

 said to be in the collection of Mr. Foljambe of Osberton ; 

 a second, shot near Wetherby in the spring of 1 805, is in 

 the collection of Mr. Fothergill of York ; and a third ex- 

 ample, also shot in Yorkshire, is recorded by Mr. Selby to 

 have been in the possession of the late Mr. Thomas Bewick. 

 My friend Mr. John Hogg of the Temple, in his Natural 

 History of the vicinity of Stockton- on-Tees, says of the 

 Scops, that it " breeds in Castle Eden Dene. Mr. Winch 

 informs me, that he has seen young birds just taken from 

 the nest by the woodman." Page 4. 



This little species, though inhabiting an extensive range 

 in different countries, is confined to the temperate and 

 warmer parts of the Old World, where insects are known to 

 abound. Mr. Gould, in his Birds of Europe, says it is 

 found in Asia. It does not visit the North of Europe even 

 in summer, but is found at that season in the southern 



