13-9 
bird. The British Fauna is indebted to Mr. 
Pennant for the first description of this bird- 
But that excellent naturalist was mistaken 
when he described it as having only one fea- 
ther on each side the head capable of erec- 
tion (which mistake has been followed by 
most other authors) as upon minute exami- 
nation these tufts will be found to consist of 
several feathers, very little longer than the 
rest. It must, however, be remarked, that 
these tufts or ears are never erected when the 
bird is in a quiescent state ; in the dead birds 
they are scarcely discernible. 
The Short-eared Owl is a migratory spe- 
cies, arriving in this country in October* 
about the time the Woodcock makes its ap- 
pearance, and departs at the same time with 
that bird in March— hence the name of 
Woodcock Owl. From the same cause it is 
probable that its summer retreat is Nor- 
way. 
It is distinguished from all the other spe- 
cies of Owls by the smallness of its head, 
which has occasioned it to be called, in some 
places, by the name of Hawk Owl, or Mouse 
Hawk- In this country it has not been ob- 
s 2 
