EARED OWLS, i 53 



variety, but considered by Captain Bendire and others to represent a distinct species 

 < A. americanus). It is distinguished from the European form by the darker tone 

 of the entire plumage, and by the white feathers of the breast being striped 

 down the middle with brown, and barred on the sides with the same tint. The 

 European long-eared owl is a forest-dwelling bird; and while in Britain it 

 is resident through the year, on the Continent and eastwards it is more or less 

 migratory. On the Continent it is much more numerous in winter than summer ; 

 and it is not unfrequent in the former season to see parties of from ten to sixteen, 

 or even more, together ; such parties assembling in the open fields. In England a 

 pair of these birds always keep to one particular wood. Unlike the majority of 

 its kindred, this owl is a silent bird, making little or no noise, except when young ; 

 on which account its presence is often unsuspected in districts where it may be 

 comparatively common. It nearly always nests in woods, frequently selecting a 

 deserted squirrel's drey or crow's nest in which to deposit its four or five eggs ; the 

 usual laying-time being March. Although mainly nocturnal, this species is not 

 exclusively so, Mr. Tuke observing that in Yorkshire he has met it " in the woods, 

 sailing quietly along, as if hawking, on a bright sunny day." In their nests the 

 same observer has detected remains of numerous small birds, as well as the foot of 

 a young hare or rabbit. Both in Europe and America their chief food consists, 

 however, of the various kinds of smaller rodents, although, where frogs are 

 numerous, these also contribute to the menu. In America, Captain Bendire states 

 that very few of the nests are built by the birds themselves ; but one which had 

 been thus constructed was formed of twigs of willows and aspens, and was re- 

 markable for the depth of the cup, which was lined with hair. In mountainous 

 regions it is stated that nests are occasionally made on cliffs. Writing of the 

 American form, the observer just referred to states that " in the daytime, parti- 

 cularly on a bright sunny day, the long-eared owl will allow itself to be closely 

 approached, and on discovering the intruder will try to make itself look slender 

 and long by pressing the feathers, which are usually somewhat puffed out, close to 

 the body, and sitting very erect and still. It might in such a position very readily 

 be mistaken for a part of the limb on which it may be sitting. Occasionally, while 

 on the ground, for instance, and being suddenly disturbed at a meal, they throw 

 themselves into quite a different attitude one of defiance, making themselves look 

 much larger than they really are, and presenting a fierce and formidable front. I 

 nearly stepped on one of them once while it was busily engaged in killing a ground- 

 squirrel, which it had evidently just caught. The owl was sitting by the side of a 

 fallen pine-tree, and as I stepped over it my foot was placed within twelve inches 

 of the bird. All at once she seemed to expand to several times her normal size ; 

 every feather raised and standing at a right angle to the body ; the wings were 

 fully spread, thrown up, and obliquely backward, their outer edges touching each 

 other over and behind the head, which likewise looked abnormally large ; and this 

 sudden change in appearance, combined with the hissing noise she uttered, made it 

 appear a very formidable object at first sight." 



The Jamaica long-eared owl (A. grammicus) differs from all the other repre- 

 sentatives of the genus in that the number of light bands on the quills is ten ; 

 there being also about the same number on the tail-feathers. It is also dis- 



