BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 163 



Xtttle 



THE Little Owl (Athene noctua, Scopoli) is a rare abnormal 

 migrant to the British Islands, and is a resident in Europe 

 south of Scandinavia. The adult has the upper parts of 

 the plumage greyish-brown ; back and wings, spotted with 

 white; head, striped with white; tail, barred with white 

 and tinged with rusty; under parts, white, with broad 

 streaks of brown ; irides, yellow ; bill, yellowish ; the toes 

 have a covering of hairy bristles. Length, about eight 

 inches. The female is a trifle larger than the male. The 

 plumage of the young is of a warmer hue than that of the 

 adults. 



