92 STRIGID^ : OWLS. 



The Short-eared Owl is one of the commonest species,' 

 rather more so than the last, and seems to be especially 

 numerous in marshy places along the coast. It is some- 

 thing of a ground Owl, oftener seen in low thickets and 

 brakes than in high woods, and is frequently abroad in 

 the daytime. It sometimes gathers in considerable 

 companies, being one of the few species ever observed 

 " in flocks. " This is one of the most patient and persistent 

 hunters of the shrews and field-mice, which, when nu- 

 merous, are a serious annoyance to the farmer ; and on 

 this account deserves to be protected and encouraged, 

 though it is also destructive to various small birds. It 

 may sometimes be observed during the day quartering 

 low over marshy ground, on the lookout for its game ; 

 but is oftener startled from its retreat in some thick 

 bush, when it rises as if confused, and hurries off for a 

 few yards to pitch down again out of sight. The nest 

 is usually built on the ground, in a loose, slovenly man- 

 ner, consisting of a few twigs, grasses, and feathers. 

 The eggs are commonly four to six in number, laid in 

 April ; they are chalky white, subspherical, and measure 

 about 1.55 by 1.25. 



GREAT GRAY OWL. 



Strix cinerea Gm. 



Chars. Of largest size ; length about 24 feet ; extent, 44 ; wing, i J ; 

 tail, I or more. Head smooth, without ear-tufts ; facial discs 

 complete, and of great extent ; ear-parts moderate, operculate ; 

 eyes rather small. Tarsi and toes fully feathered. Above, ashy- 

 brown, mottled in waves with ashy-white ; below, similar but 

 paler, the markings disposed in streaks on the breast, elsewhere 

 in bars ; the great face discs marked in concentric rings of 

 lighter and darker colors ; wings and tail with five or six bars. 



