74 British Birds, with their Nests and Eggs. 



Family— S TRIGID.^.. 



Little Owl, 



Athene noctua, Scop. 



THIS favourite inhabitant of our aviaries, on account of its amusing gestures, 

 is largel}' imported from various parts of the Continent, so that it is 

 impossible to say how many of the appearances at large in this country that have 

 been recorded may not have been due to escapes. Still, as it is abundant so 

 near to us as in Holland, there would be nothing remarkable in its occasionally 

 crossing the water, and paying us a visit, and nearly every county in England 

 has produced an example. One, known to the writer, was shot at Clevedon, in 

 Somerset, while it was fl3nng about, in the day time, mobbed b}' Sparrows. A 

 great many Little Owls have been turned loose from time to time, and some 

 have actually nested and reared young in a wild state, but this small Owl cannot 

 be said to be yet acclimatized in this country. No doubt, man};- of the Little 

 Owls that have been shot at large, of late years, have been provided by these 

 turned out birds, that have spread themselves abroad throughout adjoining 

 counties. Only quite recently the writer heard of two that had been shot when 

 sitting side by side on the branch of a tree in a cover not far from Bath. 



The Little Owl is somewhat smaller than Tengmalm's Owl, from which it 

 also differs in general appearance, as well as in its distribution and habits. It 

 is not so loosely feathered, nor has it such a profusion of downy feathers about 

 its legs and feet; on the contrary, its toes are only partially covered with bristles 

 instead of feathers. It is a dweller chiefly in the south, where it prefers in- 

 habited districts, while Tengmalm's Owl is a northern bird that avoids the haunts 

 of men in movmtain forests. Nor is the Little Owl so boldly mottled in its 

 plumage. 



The Little Owl ranges throughout the whole of the central and southern 

 countries of Burope, being replaced on the African side of the Mediterranean by 

 a paler sub-species, Athene nieridionalis. During the da}- it secludes itself in 

 gardens and thickets, or among buildings, being fond of the sheds around farm 

 yards; it also frequents churches, old towers and ruins. But it is partly diurnal, 

 for Lord Lilford says it delights in the sun, and is often active during the hours 



