BIRDS OF PREY. 39 



the ground, observed that some mice which happened 

 to fall in could not get out again, the idea of forming 

 similar holes was suggested ; it was tried accordingly, 

 and found to answer. In short, holes about two feet 

 long and ten inches broad at the top, and somewhat 

 larger every way at the bottom, were made at twenty 

 yards apart, over about 3200 acres of plantation. 

 Persons went round early in the morning to destroy 

 such mice as might be found in the holes. In this way, 

 besides what the owls, hawks, magpies, and weasels took 

 out of the holes (and several of those depredators lost 

 their lives in attempting to seize their prey), 30,000 

 mice were paid for by government; nor were they 

 extirpated till they had destroyed 1700 acres, the as- 

 tonishing number of 200,000 five-year-old oaks, to- 

 gether with an immense number of acorns and young 

 seedlings/' 



I have frequently met with the Long-eared Owl 

 (Strix otus) in the fir plantations in various parts of the 

 forest, these being its favourite places of concealment in 

 the day-time ; but it is not common with us, and indeed 

 does not appear to be an abundant species anywhere. 

 It is an amusing bird, and when met with during day- 

 light, perched on a shady bough, it has a most grotesque 

 and perky look ; it sits quietly enough if undisturbed, 

 but when roused its ears are instantly erected, and if 

 you put your hand towards it you will quickly experience 

 the sharpness of its beak and claws, with which it fights 

 vigorously. 



An allied species (Strix bubo), the Eagle Owl, appears 

 to attain a great age, and the keep of Arundel Castle in 

 Sussex is tenanted by some which were introduced many 

 years since by the then Earl of Arundel. One of these 



