158 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



spotted with blackish and dark brown ; outer webs of 

 wing-coverts have large subterminal white spots ; facial 

 disc and forehead, dark brown ; under parts, huffish-white, 

 streaked with dusky-brown and barred with brown ; irides, 

 black ; bill, straw colour ; legs and feet, feathered. Length, 

 about fifteen inches. The female only differs in being 

 larger. The young are usually more rufous than the 

 adults. This owl is also subject to much variation in 

 tint of plumage. 



SHORT-EARED OWL. 



THE Short-eared Owl (Asio brachyotus^ Forster) is a regular 

 autumn and winter visitor to the British Isles, and a few 

 breed with us in various parts. It is also found in most parts 

 of the Palearctic Region, as well as in the Nearctic Region. 

 The adult has the general colour dark rich buff; wings and 

 tail, barred transversely with dark brown ; ear-tufts, short ; 

 ring round face, blackish ; upper parts streaked and patched 

 with dark brown ; under parts, buffish-white, streaked longi- 

 tudinally on breast and flanks with dusky-brown ; irides, 

 yellow ; bill and claws, blackish ; legs and feet, feathered. 

 Length, from fourteen to fifteen inches. The female re- 

 sembles the male, but is a trifle larger. (P. 159.) 



