1922.] 



Feeding Habits of the Little Owl. 



1025 



with water did not appear to suffer at all, and only indifferently 

 regarded earthworms, beetles and raw flesh, when placed in 

 their cage. Correspondents speak of it as being able to subsist 

 for a long time without food, but on this point I have no other 

 evidence than the case here recorded. 



Nesting and other Habits. — The nesting site may be in old 

 buildings, the roofs of farm and other buildings, quarries, 

 hollow trees and rabbit holes. Old willow stumps are often 

 frequented, the site being only 3 or 4 feet from the ground. 

 No nest is made, the eggs being laid on the bare wood or 

 ground, very occasionally a few feathers or fragments of pellets 

 forming a base. 



Late in April or in May from 3 to 5 eggs are laid, though 

 6 and 7 have been recorded. The eggs are perfectly white 

 and of a short oval form. Both male and female take part in 

 incubating the eggs. The young birds remain in the nest for 

 about 25 or 26 days, after which they can fly quite well, but 

 for some little time they keep to the same tree in which the 

 nest has been or one adjacent to the nesting site. 



Dresser (8) quotes a statement by J. 0. Keulemans as 

 follows : — 



The Little Owl is very abundant all over Holland, especially in these 

 localities where meadows with large bushes are found. In such places one 

 sees extensive farmyards, which generally have an orchard at the back. 

 These the Little Owl appears to frequent by preference, and seldom do such 

 spots remain untenanted by these small birds of prey. I have often seen as 

 many as six within an hour at different spots, so common are they. They are 

 more often seen about the hour of twilight during the months of September, 

 October and November, when migrating birds visit the country. Thev are 

 frequently observed to fly long distances in the open fields in the daytime, 

 rarely, however, without being pursued by a swarm of clamorous Starlings, 

 House-sparrows, or even Crows and Magpies. Swallows also exhibit great 

 aversion to this Owl, for no sooner do they spy one than a multitude assemble 

 and fly round about it, chasing it from one spot to another." 



" In Holland the bird is universally well known. They do not seem to 

 drink much, as I have had them in a cage for more than a year without giving 

 them any water. Indeed it is a curious fact that when they get wet, either by 

 heavy rain or by being placed in a damp spot, they have fits and remain insensible 

 for hours, and sometimes it causes their death. I had one once which I had 

 placed on a boat near the bank while I was catching birds. The Owl saw its 

 image reflected in the water and jumped in ; and although I took it out 

 immediately it was quite insensible, and to all appearance dead. Much 

 regretting its loss, I put it into my pocket and carried it about for two hours 

 and on reaching home threw it down in a corner of the room. Hearing a 

 noise in the middle of the night I went down, and to my great delight found 

 my Owl jumping about on the table/' 



E 



