180 WILD LIFE IN CHINA 



owing to the mistaken enmity of keepers, they have been 

 killed out, farms are sure to suffer. Where, on the contrary, 

 there may be a sudden invasion of rodents, such as that of 

 voles in Scotland not many years since, there will also if 

 permitted be a corresponding invasion of owl to feed on 

 them. The long-eared owl is known pretty nearly all over 

 Europe and Asia, being sedentary in some places, in others 

 migratory. It nests in trees, not infrequently occupying an 

 old crow's nest in which to deposit its four or five round 

 white eggs. Unlike most of the owl family the long-eared 

 species is inclined to be sociable, during the winter especially, 

 when in some countries little companies of a dozen or more 

 may be seen together. 



The short-eared owl is variously known as Strix 

 brachyotus, Otus brachyotus, Brachyotus palustris, etc. It is 

 about the same size as its long-eared relative, and much the 

 same colour, though the tints are generally lighter. "'Brachy" 

 it might be noted, means short, and "ottts," or "OMS," an 

 ear. This species also is sociable. It is migratory in England, 

 where it spends the winter only, except in perhaps a few 

 cases which nest in the northern counties. The short-eared 

 owl is much more of a day bird, and may be seen hunting 

 over fields and moors harrier fashion for food. Occasionally, 

 it seems, it takes to rabbit burrows after the fashion of the 

 burrowing species so well known in North America. Indeed 

 it cares but little for trees, and prefers a life in close 

 proximity to mother earth. Except for the robbery of an 

 occasional game bird, partridge or grouse, the short-eared 

 owl is a feeder on rodents and small wild birds. ''There is 

 no better friend to the farmer," is the verdict of a naturalist 

 who knew. In a field which was known to be swarming 

 with vermin, no fewer than 28 owls were once counted at 

 one time. The nest of this species, like that of some others, 

 is usually found on the ground hidden amongst grass, rushes, 

 fern, or heather. 



The owl family, with their big staring eyes both directed 

 forward instead of sideways, as those of so many other birds 

 are, with their fourth reversible toe, and their short stout 

 beak, form an undoubted link between the parrots on one 

 side and the hawks, falcons, and eagles on the other. They 

 provide another example of that universal evolution which 

 has ever been round us, but to which we were, and not 

 infrequently are still, too often blind. The old teaching 

 respecting special creations has had more lives than a cat, 

 and still flourishes in certain quarters. 



