BIRD-LIFE OF THE WOODS AND GROVES. 155 



woods with plenty of undergrowth are beloved by 

 the Jay and the Turtle Dove. 



As might be expected from the wooded nature 

 of the country, Owls and the commoner species 

 of raptorial birds are still fairly numerous. Of 

 the Owls we have three species breeding within 

 the county, two of them commonly, the other 

 locally, and possibly fast becoming exterminated. 

 This species, we regret to say, is the handsome 

 Long-eared Owl. In a recent work on the 

 ornithology of Devonshire, this Owl is described 

 as a winter visitor, rarely numerous, and very 

 seldom breeding. We fear that the bird's seclu- 

 sive habits (it is also one of the most nocturnal 

 species) cause it to be overlooked, and have 

 given rise to the statements quoted above. This 

 Owl unquestionably frequents the fir woods at 

 Churston ; we have heard its unmistakable cry 

 at various places round Tor Bay, and have little 

 doubt that it frequents and breeds in many 

 spots in that district. A gamekeeper in this 

 neighbourhood assured us several years ago that 

 the "Horned Owl" was only too common on 

 his own particular domain, but that he had after 

 much trouble succeeded in killing most of them. 



