﻿1 6 Birds 



Unlike either the Barn Owl or the Tawny Owl, this bird does 

 not nest in holes, but lays its eggs in old nests of crows, magpies* 

 wood-pigeons and squirrel dreys. The eggs number from four to 

 seven, four being the usual number ; they are white, slightly glossy, 

 and elliptical in shape. As in the case of the Barn Owl, both eggs 

 and young birds may be found in the same nest. 



The plumage of the upper parts is bright rufous-buff, mottled 

 and streaked with black, ash-grey and white; on the head are 

 erectile ear-tufts, \\ inches long, dark brown edged with orange- 

 buff ; the facial disk is buff, with a dusky rim, and the eyes are 

 surrounded with black ; under-parts buff, with black longitudinal 

 streaks and transverse markings ; the legs and toes are clothed 

 with ochreous feathers ; bill and claws dark horn-brown ; irides 

 golden -orange. The female is rather darker and larger than 

 the male. 



SHOKT-EAEED OWL. (PL VII.) 



Asio accipitrinus. 



The Short-eared Owl, also called the Marsh Owl or Woodcock- 

 Owl, is an inhabitant of the open country, frequenting fens, moors, 

 marshes and rough grass lands, while during the autumn it is 

 frequently found in stubble and turnip fields. Although a partially 

 resident species and widely distributed throughout the British 

 Islands, large numbers arrive on our east coasts from the Continent 

 and spread over the country from October to March, reaching 

 Ireland, where it is common during late autumn and winter, but 

 is not known to breed there. Owing to its arrival in October 

 at the same time as the woodcock, it has obtained the name of 

 Woodcock Owl. 



Previous to the draining of the fens, numbers used to nest 

 there, but it now does so only in. very limited numbers. In the 

 northern counties it becomes more plentiful, and in Scotland and 

 the adjacent islands it is common. 



In the fen lands and marshes its nest is only a slight hollow in 

 the ground, sparsely lined with a few dead grasses, which are 

 scratched together round the eggs, while on the moors it is among 

 the heather that the eggs are laid. They number from three 

 to eight, and are white with a smooth surface. 



The food of this owl chiefly comprises field voles and mice, 



