THE LONG-EARED OWL. 

 Asia oius (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 26. 



This species, a resident in the British Islands, frequents woods of pine and 

 fir, while in autumn its numbers are much increased by others which reach our 

 eastern counties from abroad. It is widely distributed over Europe, inhabiting 

 also North Africa and many parts of Asia. 



The Long-eared Owl appropriates the former nest of a Magpie, Crow, Jay, 

 or Woodpigeon, and sometimes the "drey" of a squirrel; these are made to 

 suit the convenience of the bird by the addition of twigs or some soft material 

 such as rabbit's fur. In March it lays its smooth white eggs, from four to six in 

 number, and according to Mr. S. E. Brock (Zoologist, 1910, p. 117), incubation 

 lasts twenty-eight to thirty days. 



Occasionally this species nests on the ground, when the nest resembles the 

 Short-eared Owl's. It preys on rats, voles, and mice, while a considerable 

 number of small birds, as well as beetles, are taken. 



Being nocturnal in its habits, it usually passes the day close to the trunk of a 

 tree, and if disturbed has a quaint way of raising its ear-tufts, contracting the 

 feathers of the body, which at the same time is stretched out to much more than 

 its usual length, while the bird peers with half-closed eyes at the disturber of 

 its peace below. 



Mr. R. J. Howard, who has provided me with a number of notes on the Owls 

 and other birds of prey, which I have freely used, informs me that in the breeding 

 season the call of the male is " hoo-hoo-hoo," repeated very slowly ; when the birds 

 are disturbed at their nests the cry is a loud "wack-wack," while that of the 

 nestlings is a loud mewing. 



The young often leave the nest before they are able to fly, and climb to it 

 again aided by their bills. There are grey as well as rufous phases of plumage 

 of the Long-eared Owl. 



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