THE LONG-EAKED OWL 



CHAPTER VII 



Short-eared Owl : Habits of— Long-eared Owl — Tame Owl— White Owl— Utility of 

 Owls— Mice — Rats : Destructiveness of— Water Rats : Food of — Killing Rats 

 — Ratcatchers. 



Amongst the migratory birds that pass the winter in this 

 country is the short-eared owl/ Stn'x brachyotus : it arrives in 



' The short-eared owl comes over in small flocks to this country, many being often 

 seen together in a turnip-field, or other low cover on their first arrivak Some few, how- 

 ever, remain to breed in this country, building on the ground in rough heather, etc. It 

 hunts earlier in the evening than other owls. — C. St. J. 



It is found in summer in North Europe ; eastwards it occurs throughout Siberia, 

 wintering in the southern countries, Persia, Burmah, and South China. On the American 

 continent it breeds in various parts of Canada and the United States, and in winter has 

 been found as far south as Cb)li and the Falkland IslQS, — Seebobm, Siberia in Europe, 

 p. ii8, 



