108 



THE SHOKT-EARED OWL. 



him to its occupants, namuly, Mrs. Fanny and her blind kitten. Pussy regarded him at 

 first with very suspicious looks ; but the poor bird, feeling pleased with the dim light and 

 pussy's soft warm coat, soon nestled up to her. This act of confidence on Blinker's part 

 appeared to affect Fanny favourably, and she at once purred him a welcome. From this 

 time they were fast friends, and many mice did she good-naturedly provide Blinker witn 

 in common with her own kitten. When he grew large enough, he used to sit on the 

 side of her basket, and would never settle quietly for the night until the two cats were 

 asleep in their bed. 



It was quite beautiful to observe the warm affection which grew up between the 

 Owlet and the kitten. The only cause of discord that we ever noticed between the two, 

 was when the kitten would play with a living mouse. This evidently hurt Blinker's 

 feelings, for he would always pounce down and seize the mouse by the back of its neck, 

 and kill it in a moment. Still, he had a sense of justice in his nature ; for when the mouse 

 was dead, he would drop it down to its rigiitmi owner. 



I had him for a year, and was much attached to him ; but he fell ill, and went the 

 way of all pets." 



SHORT-BARED OWL. Otut brachyitut. 



ANOTHER species of Eared OWL is also found in England, and is nearly as common as 

 the preceding bird. This is the SHORT-EARED OWL, or SHORT-HORNED OWL as it is 

 sometimes called. 



This species is remarkable for the very small size of the head, which is even smaller 

 than the neck, and gives, a very un-Owl-like look to its aspect. In its habits the Short- 

 eared Owl is very unlike its British relations, as it flies much by day, and haunts the 

 heaths and open lands in preference to the woods. The eggs of this bird are laid upon the 

 bare earth, which is scraped away by the parent bird until a small hollow is made, and is 

 undefended by the slightest lining. Eichardson, however, says that in North America its 

 nest is formed of dried grasses and moss laid on the ground. Sometimes the eggs are laid 

 on a depression among sedges or heather, and there are instances where Owls' eggs, 

 supposed to be of this species, have been found in rabbit burrows. The eggs are seldom 

 more than three in number. On account of its small head and day-hunting propensities, 

 it is sometimes known by the local name of Hawk Owl. 



It does not seem to be very powerful on the wing, seldom flying for more than a 

 hundred yards, and at a very low elevation. If observed, it seeks the nearest covert, and 

 dives so deeply among the brushwood that it is not easily seen, and cannot be driven out 



