LITTLE OWL. 147 



the under wing and tail feathers are marked faintly with 

 the bars which shine through from above. 



The female is a little larger than the male, which is, 

 in fact, the greatest distinction in outward appearance be- 

 tween the sexes ; the fainter markings and colouring depend 

 more upon age and season than sex, and the colours are much 

 more pure after the autumnal moult than at any other time, 

 and the white markings more deeply tinged with rufous ; 

 the spots on the back and shoulders being frequently bor- 

 dered with rufous. Young birds resemble the adult birds 

 of the autumn, the white spots are larger, and the bars on 

 the tail are more distinct. 



The egg marked 29 belongs to this bird. 



