166 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



hollow trees j and Wolley obtained some which had been laid in one of the 

 hollowed-out logs which are closed at each end^ with a hole cut in the side, 

 to induce the Golden-eye Ducks to breed in them. A favourite nesting- 

 place appears to be in the deserted nest of the Black Woodpecker. The 

 number of eggs varies from fovir to seven. They are pure white in colour, 

 smooth, and differ somewhat in shape, some being elongated, others almost 

 round. They vary in length from IS to l',io inch, and in breadth from 

 1-1 to 1-05 inch. 



Tengmalm's Owl has the upper parts brown spotted with white, and the 

 underparts white barred with reddish brown. The beak is yellowish white, 

 claws black ; irides yellow. The female resembles the male, but is slightly 

 larger and has the white less developed. Young birds are much darker than 

 adults, and have the white spots almost confined to the wings and tail. It 

 is a slightly larger bird than the Little Owl, from which it may also easily 

 be distinguished by the tarsus and feet being thickly plumed to the claws. 

 The Little Owl also has the underparts longitudinally streaked instead of 

 barred. 



LON'G-EARED OWL. 



