262 The Long-Eared Owl. [Sess. 



discovered a Long-eared Owl incubating two eggs in an old 

 squirrel's drey. We also saw the slim form of her faithful 

 mate perched in a neighbouring tree. On April 25 the nest, 

 which had two eggs on the 8th, contained five ; and assured of 

 this bird's indifference, we straightway took the liberty of 

 photographing the nest. Photography of the nest was not an 

 easy business, and occupied the better part of the afternoon. 

 During that time neither Owl appeared, and we departed 

 finally with considerable misgivings at our temerity. On May 

 10 we dispelled all misgivings by finding the Owl sitting on 

 three young and one ^gg. There was also scattered about the 

 rim of the nest the feathers of a Yellow-hammer. This 

 was evidence that the Long - eared Owl occasionally feeds 

 her young on small birds ; it was also evidence that the Long- 

 eared very rarely does so. We had never noticed small bird 

 feathers in any quantity in a Long-eared Owl's nest before. 

 Prey or remnants of prey had always been conspicuous by 

 their absence. From a properly regulated and properly 

 administered regimen of small mammals there would be 

 nothing to leave. We were unfortunately prevented from 

 gathering any more evidence upon dietary problems at this 

 nest. When we returned on May 29 the youngsters were 

 lying dead in the nest, and a close examination soon rendered 

 it clear that the nest had been shot from below. Keepers' 

 work again ! we said, and proceeded with unusual virulence to 

 " unpack our souls." 



1909 had been a disastrous year for the Long-eared Owls 

 in West Lothian. From the four nests discovered not a single 

 young bird had been reared — a black outlook, we thought, for 

 1910. But before plunging into the turmoil of 1910 it may 

 be useful, if not ornithologically very profitable, to sum up 

 the welter of observations with which I have endeavoured to 

 bewilder you. The total number of pairs of birds (as repre- 

 sented by nests) located was as follows : — 



1904. R wood, one pair. 



1907. Do., two pairs ; C. wood, one pair. 



1908. Do., one pair; do., one pair ; Thicket, two 

 pairs. 



1909. C. wood, two pairs ; Thicket, one pair ; M. wood, one 

 pair. 



