XX. 



STRIX OTUS. (linn.) 

 Long-eared Owl. 



The Long-eared Owl is one of our earliest breeders, lay- 

 ing its eggs frequently in March ; these it deposits in the de- 

 serted nest of a Crow or Magpie ; they are four or five in 

 number, and of a glossy white — Fig. 1. The young ones 

 remain a long time in the nest before they are able to fly. 



STRIX BRACHYOTOS. (latham.) 

 Shobt-eared Owl, Hawk Owl. 



The Short-eared Owl, departing from the habits of the 

 rest of the genus, nestles upon the ground on moors and other 

 waste lands. Though they for the most part retire farther 

 north to breed, yet a few of them remain upon the Northum- 

 berland moors, where Mr. Charlton, of Hesleyside, informs 

 me, he has frequently found their eggs amongst the heath in 

 his own neighbourhood. Mr. R. R. Wingate has also met 

 with the young on the same moors before they were able to 

 fly. Their eggs are four or five in number as at Fig. 2 ; 

 for the egg there drawn, I am indebted to the kindness of 

 Mr. Yarrell. 



The Rev. Geo. Low, in his Fauna Orcadensis says, that 

 this Owl is very frequent on the hill of Hoy, where it builds 

 its nest amongst the heath ; and is so impudent in breeding 

 time, as to take up chickens from the door, and chase pigeons 

 in day-light. In a nest which he found, were the remains 

 of a moor-fowl and two plovers ; it was placed in a large 

 heath bush, made without any art, and intolerably foetid. 



