11 



PART IV.— SPRING AND AUTTOIN VISITORS. 



Otus brachyotus. 



Short-eared Owl. 



A few of these Owls visit us every autumn, wlien they 

 generally frequent the turaip-ficlds ; they are, however 

 by no means common. 



I have one in my collection which was shot on the 

 Overton downs in spring, but this is the only recorded 

 instance of its visiting us at that season. 



Coturnix vulgaris. 



Quail. 



** There is no rule without an exception," is a good old 

 adage and a true one. I therefore feel justified in not 

 including this as a summer visitor, though its nest has been 

 taken as late as the 21st of June (1868). This nest (the 

 only recorded instance of their breeding with us) was built 

 in a hay-field, and the poor bird sat so steadily on its nest 

 that the scythe of one of the mowers actually cut the nest 

 in half under her, also taking oflp her legs. 



As a rule, however, they only visit us in the spring and 

 autumn, while on their migrations, and even then they are 

 by no means abundant. 



