SHORT-EARED OWL. 
OTUS BRACHYOTUS. 
Tub old name of Woodcock-Owl was probably given to this species on account of its arrival having been 
supposed by our ancestors to denote the fact that Woodcocks would shortly make their appearance on our 
coasts. Without doubt, large flights at times reach our eastern shores during the autumn and early winter; 
these, I conclude from reports I have received from the light-ships, arc birds that have crossed the Aorth Sea. 
We arc also visited in the spring by a few stragglers that have passed the winter months on the continent. On 
several occasions, usually soon after daylight, I have met with single birds in advanced breeding-plumage 
within a short distance of the English Channel, both in Kent and Sussex, the date of their appearance being 
from the middle to the latter end of April. I particularly noticed that these birds seemed lighter in plumage 
than those that passed the winter on our shores. 
During summer the Short-eared Owl may be found nesting in many parts of the British Islands. I have 
met with them in the Hebrides and Inverness-shire, and in one instance on the west coast of lloss-shirc. In 
the north-west of Perthshire they arc particularly numerous ; I have come across their nests on many occasions 
on the Grouse-moors. I found one pair, which I believe to have been breeding, on the hills near Whitby in 
Yorkshire, though I was unable to detect either eggs or young. Many years ago I captured an unfledged 
nestling on the outskirts of Wicken fen, near Ely; and at the present date this species still breeds in 
considerable numbers in the east of Norfolk. 
Small birds about the size of Larks and Pipits, together with two or three different members of the mouse 
family, appear to be the usual food of this Owl. The pellets, which may be found in immense numbers in the 
neighbourhood of their haunts, clearly indicate the description of prey on which they subsist. I have heard 
it stated that they arc at times destructive to young game; this I should much doubt, unless a partly-fledged 
Snipe has happened to come under their observation. 
During the winter months these Owls may usually be seen hunting for prey as early as 3 p.m., 
occasionally in dull weather even earlier. In summer they may be noticed soaring at all hours of the day 
over the marshes or moors where their young arc located. When disturbed by the intrusion of visitors to 
their haunts, they remain circling over the intruders, uttering a sharp barking cry, swooping down at times 
as if with the intention of making an attack in defence of their progeny, then sailing slowly away to a 
distance, and ever and anon returning again, till their quarters are left in peace. I repeatedly watched them 
while the sun was shining brightly ; and they appeared not in the slightest incommoded by the strong li-ht 
I have found their nests in the north in heather and rough grass. On the cast coast, where I met with 
many opportunities of studying their habits, they seem to prefer the roughest and wildest situations they are 
thstt^took rz “ th ° rush ' marshes are left for sotokJ y cars : here a luxuriant crop of 
ttates, docks, and other rank-growmg plants soon becomes established: these wastes are the favourite 
quartcis of the Marsli-Owl, as this species is termed by the natives. 
