632 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



Montagu's Dictionary), who found it not at all 

 uncommon in Lapland : he says, " It flies much in 

 the day-time, and with its long tail, short wings and 

 quiet flight has a very Hawk-like appearance in the 

 air, when its large square head is not seen. Its cry 

 near its nest is also similar to a Hawk's; and it 

 often sits on the top of an old dead fir, to watch 

 intruders, where it seems to have no idea that it can 

 be in danger. It carries itself much after the fashion 

 of the regular Owls ; but whilst all the feathers of 

 the back give a great breadth to its full face, there 

 is quite a table at the top of its head. It casts its 

 bright yellow eyes downwards with the true air . of 

 half-puzzled wisdom, or turns its head round for a 

 leisurely gaze in another direction ; to glance back- 

 wards is out of the question and to look at any one 

 with a single eye much beneath its dignity. I have 

 seen it from my window fly down from its stand and 

 take the mouse it caught back to the tree before it 

 began to eat it ; but it shifted its place several times 

 before it found a convenient spot for finishing the 

 meal. I do not know whether it is in the habit of 

 hunting on the wing, but this year mice are so 

 abundant that such exertion would be superfluous. 

 When disabled from flight it at once squares itself 

 for defence, putting on its most formidable coun- 

 tenance, guarding its back and presenting its front 

 to the enemy ; silently and calmly it maintains its 

 ground or springs from a short distance on its foe 



