THE SCOPS-EAEED OWL. 



581 



Lastly, the Ketupu is a native of the islands of the Indian 

 Archipelago. It often frequents the banks of rivers, and feeds 

 principally upon crabs and fish. The name it bears is that which 

 has been given to it by the natives. 



The SCOPS-EARED OWL (Scops), Fig. 276, is remarkable for its 

 diminutive size, which does not exceed that of a Thrush, and for 

 its horns, which are perfectly rudimentary and formed of a single 



Fig. 276. Tiie Scops-eared Owl (Stru bubonmct^ Liun.j. 



feather. Its plumage, which is beautifully shaded with russet, 

 grey, and black, is much more pleasing than that of the preceding 

 species. 



These Owls are more sociable than larger ones, and assemble 

 in flocks in autumn and spring to migrate into warmer climates ; 

 they depart after the Swallows, and get to their destination 

 about the same time. They are of great service to the agri- 

 culturist in destroying field-mice. " At times when this kind 

 of scourge was prevalent," says Buffon, "Small Horned Owls 

 have been known to arrive in numbers, and wage such a suc- 

 cessful warfare against the field-mice, that in a few days the 

 ground was cleared of them." 



