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specimen of this egg, which was taken from a nest with seven eggs near Muniovara in 1861. 

 This egg is rather rounder and not so elongated as that of the Snowy Owl. Of the breeding- 

 habits of the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis, Pall.) we know nothing for certain; but of all the other 

 European Owls I believe five or six to be the full number. On June 13th I took a clutch of the 

 Hawk Owl with eight eggs, probably a second clutch from a bird whose first nest had been 

 robbed ; for we seldom found fresh eggs after the second week in May, and early in June we shot 

 young flyers. I also took on May 30th a clutch of Tengmalm's Owl with ten eggs. But these 

 certainly were exceptional cases. As to the nest, I never saw a nest of either, the eggs having 

 been always laid, like those of the Woodpecker, in a hole, with nothing under them but a few 

 dry splinters and chips of the rotten or fresh wood, as the case might be. 



" The eggs of the Hawk Owl very often so much resemble those of the Short-eared Owl that 

 one might well pass for the other ; but they are in general a little smaller, more elongated, and 

 pointed at the smaller end, of a deep dirty white. Usual size 1^ inch by l-§-." 



In Professor Newton's edition of Yarreli's ' British Birds ' is published an interesting note : — 

 " The late Mr. Wolley, in a letter to the Editor (part of which was printed in the ' Zoologist ' for 

 1854) says that this bird, which in some years is extremely abundant in Lapland, ' flies much in 

 the daytime, and, with its long tail, short, sharp wings, and quick flight, has a very Hawk-like 

 appearance in the air, when its large square head is not seen. Its cry near its nest is also similar 

 to a Hawk's ; and it often sits on the bare top of an old dead fir, and has not the least fear of a 

 gun. It carries itself much after the fashion of the more regular Owls; but whilst all the 

 feathers at the back give a great breadth to its full face, there is quite a table at the top of its 

 head. It casts its bright yellow eyes downwards with the true air of half-puzzled wisdom, or 

 turns its head round for a leisurely gaze in another direction : to glance backwards is out of the 

 question ; and to look at any one with a single eye is much beneath its dignity. From my 

 window I have seen it fly down from its stand and take the mouse it caught back to the tree 

 before it began to eat it ; but it shifted its place several times before it found a convenient spot 

 for finishing the meal. I do not know whether it is in the habit of also hunting on the wing ; 

 but this year mice are so abundant that such exertion would be superfluous. When disabled 

 from flight, it at once squares itself for defence, putting on its most formidable countenance, 

 guarding its back and presenting its front to the enemy. Calmly and silently it maintains its 

 ground, or springs from a short distance on its foe. So bravely it dies, without a thought of 

 glory and without a chance of fame"; for of its kind there are no cowards.' Subsequently the 

 same excellent observer had numerous opportunities of becoming acquainted with the Hawk 

 Owl's mode of breeding, and found that early in the year it occupies a hole in a tree, or one of 

 the nest-boxes set up by the people for the accommodation of Ducks, in which the hen bird lays 

 from five to eight white eggs, measuring from 1-63 to 1-43 by 1'26 to 1*13 inch. The nest is 

 boldly defended by its owners, and especially by the cock, who, during incubation, will fiercely 

 attack and with his talons seriously wound any invader, often losing his life thereby." In the 

 ' Ootheca Wolleyana' Professor Newton also gives a note of Mr. Wolley' s, illustrating the 

 manner in which this courageous bird defends its nest : — " 6th May, Niemi's Johan brought six 

 Pissis eggs, taken in Ollasrowa, 27th April, with both birds. He said that when he went to the 

 nest the cock came and struck two holes in his ear ; but, as he had got a stick in his hand, he 



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