46 CLARKE : THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



ASIO OTUS (L). 

 Long-eared Owl. 



A local resident. 



Though not quite so numerous as the Tawny Owl, this species 

 is to be found in suitable localities, in varying numbers, but is 

 local, inasmuch as it occurs only in wooded districts. As an im- 

 migrant, it is observed annually on the coast in the vicinity of 

 Spurn, but in very limited numbers, and arrives there later in the 

 season than its congener, the Short-eared species, usually in the 

 latter days of November or in December. Mr. Cordeaux informs 

 me that it is annually observed migrating across Heligoland. 



Mr. A. Roberts of Scarborough related to me the following 

 curious incident in the nidification of this bird : — "Some years 

 ago, a friend of mine observed a Long-eared Owl leave an old 

 crow's nest and on climbing the tree found the nest empty. 

 Three days afterwards he again saw the owl leave the identical 

 nest ; he again ascended, and found three eggs just at hatching. 

 I'he only way in w'hich this can be accounted for is that, dis- 

 turbed in other quarters, the owls must have conveyed their eggs 

 to this nest. Out of curiosity the next time I had one of these 

 birds in the flesh for preservation I found that the mouth was 

 quite capable of containing its egg." 



ASIO ACCIPITKINUS {Pallas). 

 Short-eared Owl. 



A regular autumn and winter visitant. An occasional resident. 



The Short-eared Owl is an annual immigrant from the north, 

 arriving on our coast line from the first week in October to the 

 middle of November in considerably varying numbers. These 



Trans. Y.N.U , 1S78 (pub. 1>^S0). =eries B 



