THE SCOPS-OWL. 

 Scops giu (Scopoli). 

 Plate 27. 



Nearly sixty examples of this little tufted Owl, the smallest known in this 

 country, have occurred in the British Islands since 1805, when it was first 

 noticed in Yorkshire. It is common during summer in Southern and South- 

 eastern Europe, and, according to the B.O.U. "List of British Birds" (1915), it 

 extends its migrations to " Holland, Belgium, northern France, Germany, and 

 Switzerland." 



It also breeds in Asia Minor, Palestine, and North-west Africa, migrating 

 during winter still farther south in Africa. 



The Scops-Owl usually nests within a hollow tree, and lays five or six 

 pure white eggs. 



It is almost entirely insectivorous, and is seldom seen abroad during the 

 hours of daylight, which it spends in drowsy sleepiness, usually perched close to 

 the trunk of a tree. 



It has a curious monotonous cry, constantly repeated, resembling the syllables 



kew-kew. 



I am indebted to my friend, Mr. G. E. Lodge, for kindly lending me a sketch, 

 taken from life, which I made use of for the plate. 



42 



