HAWK OWL. 117 



RAPTORES. STRIGIDM. 



PLATE XXIII. 



HAWK OWL. 



Otus Brachyotus {Fleming.) 



This species, called by some authors Hawk Owl, from its 

 small head, lively appearance, and habit of flying frequently 

 by day, is perhaps better known under the designation of 

 Short-eared Owl. It resembles much in general aspect the 

 Long-eared Owl of the preceding plate, but differs very 

 essentially from that species in habits, locality, &c. 



This bird is found here at all seasons, but its numbers are 

 believed to be considerably increased in autumn and winter 

 by visiters that retire to this country from more northern 

 latitudes. Unlike the last described species, this bird does 

 not seek the shelter of woods or copses, but prefers open 

 country, fields, and moors, in which it searches for food often 

 by day in gloomy weather. Its place of nidification is 

 chosen on the ground, among heath, long grass, or rushes : 

 in such places the young birds have been found seated on 

 the ground, having left the nest before they were able to fly. 

 They also breed upon downs near the sea-coast ; the young 

 have been frequently seen on our eastern coast in such 

 situations, and they are said to breed in great numbers on the 

 coast of Holland. 



It is remarked by M. Boie that this species follows the 

 migrations of the Lemmings, wherever these destructive ani- 

 mals establish themselves. In the countries of the North the 



