160 



KEARTONS' NATURE PICTURES 



peculiar aerial antics. The wings are 

 made to meet over the back and beneath 



LONG-EARED OWL NESTLINGS. 



the body with such force that when 

 they come together in the former posi- 

 tion they produce a surprising sound, 

 and this in spite of the fact that the 

 feathers are soft and covered with a 

 fine, down-like substance in order that 

 the birds may approach their prey in 

 silence. When in this disturbed con- 



dition of mind the female will alight on 

 the top of some dead tree-stump and 

 give vent to weird cries, somewhat 

 suggestive of the mewing of a cat. 



One day, whilst I was roaming about 

 in a plantation in the neighbourhood 

 of Thurso, a bird of this species flew 

 close over my head and disappeared 

 beneath some stunted fir-trees not far 

 away. Presently I heard cries, so like 

 unto those produced by a young rabbit 

 when caught by a stoat or weasel, that 

 I rushed along thinking that I might 

 be able to save the unfortunate animal's 

 life. Upon arriving at a place where 

 I could get a good view beneath the 

 trees, I discovered to my amazement 

 the Long-Eared Owl lying flat upon the 

 ground with both wings spread out. 

 I had wandered too near her young 

 ones for her peace of mind, and she 

 was trying to decoy me away from their 

 presence. 



Towards sundown young Long-Eared 

 Owls, when old enough to sit about in 

 trees, call to their parents in weird 

 whistling notes which can be heard at 

 a considerable distance. 



