Class II. SHORT EARED OWL. . 261 



disturbed, it seldom flies far, but will light and 

 sit looking at its observer, at which time the 

 horns may be seen very distinctly. It has not 

 been known to perch on trees, like other owls : 

 it will also fly in search of prey in cloudy hazy 

 weather. Farmers are fond of seeing these 

 birds in their fields, as they clear them from 

 mice. It is found frequently on the hill of Hoy 

 in the Orknies, where it flies about and preys 

 by day like a hawk. I have also received this 

 species from Lancashire, which is a hilly and 

 wooded country : and my friends have also sent 

 it from New England and Newfoundland,* 



The length of the short eared owl is fourteen Descrip- 

 inches; its extent three feet; its weight four- 

 teen ounces. The head is small and hawk-like ; 

 the bill is dusky ; the circle of feathers that im- 

 mediately surrounds the eyes is black -, the larger 

 circle white, terminated with tawny and black ; 

 the irides yellow; the feathers on the head, 

 back, and coverts of the wings, are brown edged 

 with pale dull yellow ; the breast and belly are 

 of the same color, marked with a few long nar- 

 row streaks of brown pointing downwards ; the 

 thighs, legs and toes, are covered with plain 



* It is common at Hudson's Bay, and is there said to make a 

 nest of dry grass on the ground ; the eggs are white. It visits 

 that country in May and departs in September. J. L. 



TION. 



