201 



the mother duck was with them, appearing perfectly regard- 

 less of danger on her own account, and seldom attempting to 

 rise on wing until approached within four or five paces. 

 When caught they were beside a high road at least a mile 

 from any marsh which would seem suitable for the nest. 



SHORT-EAKED OWL (NEST AND YOUNG). 

 Case 312. 



This day -fly ing owl still nests occasionally in the fens 

 and broads, and breeds regularly in the North of Scotland and 

 the Hebrides. The three young birds in the case were 

 obtained by the late Mr. Booth in Norfolk on June 23rd, 

 1881. 



The old bird with the nest, addled egg, &c., were pre- 

 sented by Sir John Campbell-Orde, having been obtained by 

 his keeper in N. Uist (Outer Hebrides), in June 1897. 



It will be noticed that the breeding plumage of this 

 species is strikingly lighter than the autumn or winter 

 plumage (see Case 50). 



When disturbed near their nests, I have seen the old 

 birds circling in the air round the intruder, uttering their 

 bark-like note. On one such occasion I saw them rising to a 

 considerable height in the air, and then dropping nearly 

 to the ground, repeatedly making a distinct crack which 

 could be heard at a considerable distance, caused, I believe, 

 by their snapping their beaks together. 



BAEN OWL. (DARK VARIETY). 

 Case 313. 



The Barn Owl is one of the most cosmopolitan of birds, 

 being found almost throughout the inhabited world except 

 in arctic regions. Two forms occur, one of which is common 

 in Britain, and from the pure white breast and face are 

 known as White Owls (see Case 54). Another darker form, 

 though not uncommon in central Europe and Denmark, is 

 very rare in Britain. The two specimens in the case were 

 both obtained in Sussex; one is stuffed flying, and was caught 

 in a barn at Shoreham, October 24th, 1893, and was bought 

 and presented by Mr. H. Willett. The other was killed 

 early in November,. 1900, at Eottingdean. 



