SCOPS-EARED OWL. 121 



RAPTORES. STRIGIDM. 



PLATE XXIV. 



SCOPS-EARED OWL. 



Scops Aldrovandi. (-fftfj/.) 



The Scops-eared Owl is known all over Europe, with 

 the exception of the most northern parts ; and in many parts 

 of America, Asia, and Africa, where the climate is temperate 

 or warm. In France and Italy they are very abundant and 

 well-known, and frequently inhabit gardens and plantations 

 in the vicinity of villages and towns. In such places they sit 

 sheltered in a hole in a tree, or among the thick leafing, 

 asleep the whole day, and come out in the evening to feed. 

 In the south of Germany, and in the mountain forests of 

 Austria and Switzerland they are known to breed, and the 

 place chosen is usually a hole in a tree, or in a rock : the 

 young birds are fed with beetles and other insects : when 

 taken from the nest they are easily tamed, and will eat meat, 

 either raw or dressed, potatoes, &c. 



In a wild state their food consists of small birds, frogs, or 

 mice, which they tear in pieces ; and of insects, such as 

 grasshoppers, cockchafers, moths, &c. Their flight is soft 

 and wavering, but tolerably quick. 



This beautiful little Owl is very rare in England, and very 

 few instances of its appearance here have been recorded ; it 

 is only known as a summer visiter, and is supposed to leave 

 even the warmer countries of Italy and France as winter 

 approaches, and retire still further south. 



