LONG-EAKED OWL. 118 



HAPTOBES. STR1GIDM. 



PLATE XXII. 



LONG-EARED OWL. 



Otus Vulgaris. (Flem.) 



This very handsome species is indigenous in England, 

 and remains here all the year, but is far less common than 

 several of the British Owls. Its places of residence, and 

 habits of concealing itself, may contribute to render it less 

 generally known. In confinement it is readily tamed, and 

 will become very sociable, and makes itself extremely amus- 

 ing by the ridiculous and indescribable attitudes it assumes, 

 which are rendered picturesque by its long and beautiful 

 ears. It frequently sits apparently asleep, with its eyes 

 closed, except the narrowest slit, through which it perceives 

 and notices all that surrounds it. When undisturbed, these 

 birds remain very quiet by day, and sit motionless on a 

 branch as long as daylight lasts ; if carefully approached, 

 they will not take wing, but endeavour to effect concealment 

 by shrinking closer into their places of retreat. Thus 

 hidden in dark woods, in summer, among the thick foliage, 

 forest-trees, or close copse-wood, and in winter in ivy, fir- 

 trees, or evergreen shrubs, this species is so effectually 

 sheltered from inexperienced observers as to be seldom 

 seen. Its mottled and downy plumage harmonizing with 

 the rugged bark of the stem against which it rests, or assimi- 



