The Barn Owl 



generally laid in clutches of two, at intervals of some days, 

 so that four or six young of varying ages are generally found 

 in the nest together. Unlike most of the. other Owls, the 

 first plumage of the young is composed of true feathers, 

 whereas in most of the other species the young are at first 

 clothed, with the exception of the wings and tail, in a 

 plumage of downy feathers, which after being worn for a 

 short time is exchanged for the full plumage. 



The general colour above is huffish orange, minutely 

 speckled and vermiculated with grey. The under parts are 

 white, sometimes Slightly huffish on the chest, and with a 

 few minute black specks. The sexes are alike, but the 

 female is said to be more speckled on the under parts. 

 The young resemble the adults. Length 13*5 in.; wing 

 11-25 in. 



THE LONG-EARED OWL 



Asio otus (Linnaeus) 



Though it is distinctly commoner in Scotland, this' species 

 is not rare in any of the wooded districts of our islands. 

 It is very partial to fir woods or evergreen plantations, and 

 early in the year takes possession of an old nest or squirrel's 

 drey in which to deposit its six white eggs. The young 

 are chiefly fed on rats and mice, but moths and beetles are 

 also eaten with relish, while small birds are not despised. 

 The daytime is spent among the branches of the trees, and 

 when alarmed by any noise the bird draws itself up and 

 leans against the trunk of the tree, in which position it may 



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