88 THE GOLDEN EAGLE AND OTHEE BIEDS OF PREY. 



Next in size are the long-eared owl {Otus vulgaris) and the short- 

 eared owl {Otus brachyotus), both of which frequent mountainous 

 regions as well as the plains. Of these the long eared owl is the more 

 graceful, having longer wings and tail. In colour and markings both 

 are very similar to eaeli other, and to the eagle owl. 



A brown owl {Nenox ja-ponica) also occurs, besides two wood owls 

 (Symium fuscescens and S. niviola) both very rare. 



The little owl (Athene -plumijjes), as a small rock or loess-inhabit- 

 ing species is called, is no larger in the body than a quail, but with 

 its fluffy feathers it looks the size of a half grown pigeon. It has no 

 tufts on the head like the other owls of North China have. As already 

 indicated it frequents the holes and ravines in rocky or loess hills. 

 When it comes out in the evening it makes a cackling noise something 

 like that of the chukar. It is of a light brown colour on the back 

 marked with white or buff dots. Its breast is buff with dark mark- 

 ings. With its quaint little ways and tractable disposition it makes 

 a charming pet. There can be no more amusing sight than one of 

 these little birds attacking a cat or terrier. With every feather on end, 

 eyes wide open and uttering shrill, piercing screams, it presents a 

 sufficiently fierce appearance to daunt the boldest dog. 



The last species we have to consider is the scops owl (Scops stic- 

 tonotua), a beautiful little creature no bigger than a starling. It is of 

 a dark grey-brown marked with bars of a deeper shade. It has bright 

 yellow eyes and ear-like tufts. Usually it hides up in old temp'es, 

 coming out in the evening at dusk. Woe betide the sparrow who so 

 much as stirs a feather, when this fierce little marauder is about; for 

 like lightning it will detect the whereabouts of its prey and swoop upon 

 it in the dark, uttering a series of shrill, piping screams, apparently 

 to disconcert its victim and so render capture more sure. 



