Nesting of the Long-eared Owl on the ground at Hickling. 209


one of the superbly-tailed male birds. But why its greyish-brown

colouring should change to black I have no idea; its funereal

appearance does not suggest courtship.


It has been called the Dancing Bird, because in the courting

seasons, which happen twice a year, it dances in the early mornings

and evenings to attract and please the female. This little form of

flirtation is very pretty. First of all, the male bird cuts down the

long thick grass as closely as if it had been mown, in a beautiful

circle, leaving a round patch in the middle of it. This little patch

resembles the crossed swords of a Highlander, over which he dances.

With infinite lightness and joy the male bird, with his head thrown

back and his big tail upraised till head and tail nearly touch, and

with feet hanging down, bobs up and down and crosses over and

round the little tuft of grass in a way which obviously pleases both

the wooer and the wooed. I have seen more than a dozen of these

Whydah birds, each with its own dancing ground, all performing

their dance of love at one time.



NESTING OF THE LONG-EARED OWL ON

THE GROUND AT HICKLING.*


By J. H. Gurney, F.Z.S.


On April 6th, 1915, Mr. James Vincent found a nest of the

Long-eared Owl ( Asio otus ) in the vicinity of Hickling Broad, and

situated on the ground—a very unusual position for the nest of

this species, which generally breeds in fir trees. On x^pril 15th,

accompanied by Dr. S. H. Long, I was taken to see this nest,

which then contained five eggs. The “ nest ” was placed in the

middle of a small plantation about a quarter of a mile from the

Broad, and was nothing more elaborate than a slight depression

on the oak-leaf-covered ground, beneath a growth of brambles.

These served admirably to conceal the Owl when sitting, though

they impeded her in her exit from the nest when suddenly


1 Reprinted from the ‘ Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’

Society.’



