Correspondence



175



The title is perhaps somewhat misleading, for the youngest student

of British birds will want to know more of our birds than are described

here, and it seems strange that a book entitled Birds One Should Know

should contain no account of the Nightingale, Yellow-hammer, or

Linnet, while a comparatively rare species, such as the Short-eared

Owl should be dealt with. But we realize that the letterpress is

secondary to the illustrations.



CORRESPONDENCE


A RARE BRAZILIAN OWL


Sirs, —I have recently bought a very handsome small Owl, of which

1 do not know the name, and I should be greatly obliged if any member

could enlighten me. The dealer says that it comes from Brazil. It

is about the size of our Barn Owl, diurnal, streaked all over with brown

and tawny yellow, legs and feet covered with very close tawny down,

claws black ; feet and legs particularly neat, almost hawk-like. The

wings are very long, and project beyond thelongish barred tail ; under¬

neath the wings the plumage is tawny. The facial disc is full and round,

but the head is rather small in comparison with most Owls ; iris bright

golden yellow, pupil black. Two very short “ ears ” quite close together

on the crown of the head, like a double crest. I think the bird can

elevate and depress these tufts, but am not quite certain ; they certainly

appear more erect if the bird is alarmed or excited, but it may be that

they seem so because the other head feathers are depressed.


When this Owl sits erect on its stump it is strikingly hawk-like.

It is in good plumage, and keeps itself very clean, enjoying a bath nearly

every day.


I should like to know if it will stand the winter in an out-door

aviary facing south, Avith wooden sides and roof ; also if it has been

frequently imported.


Ethel F. Ci-iawner.


[Mr. Meade-Waldo has identified this Owl as Asio stygius . — Eds.]



THE YELLOW-BILLED CARDINAL

Sirs, —With reference to my paper on the Yellow-billed Cardinal,

a few small printer’s errors have crept in, which I would be glad if you



