SHORT-EARED OWL. 
The young, I imagine, leave the nest some time before they are able to get on wing. I have frequently 
come across a single young one seated by itself in some snug corner among the dense cover ; and after hunting 
further, a second and then a third might eventually be discovered. Even after they are capable of flight the 
family keep within a short distance of one another, appearing to resort to a certain spot for resting and 
digesting their food. I have disturbed several broods in the marshes of East Norfolk, where for a space of 
twenty or thirty yards the greater part of the rushes and herbage were broken down by regular runs or tracks ; 
the surface of the grass also was matted by their droppings, and thickly strewn with pellets as well as 
quantities of their feathers. 
At times I have noticed one perched on a gate or post ; but more frequently they may be observed 
steadying themselves on the small stunted willow bushes or the old stumps that arc found along the 
marsh-dykes. 
Their nest, if they construct any, is simply a few strands of grass placed in a depression that is either 
scratched out or formed by the bird while sitting. 
The first Plate shows a male in the summer plumage and two young ones unable to fly. It will be readily 
seen that the breeding-plumage of the adult is much lighter than the winter dress, in which we are accustomed 
to meet with the bird. I find in my note-book the following remarks referring to young ones taken in Norfolk 
on June 23, 1881. “Eyes king’s yellow; beak dark horn or almost black; inside of mouth pale flesh; feet 
yellow-oclire ; soles of feet king’s yellow ; claws dark horn.” 
The second Plate gives the regular winter plumage, which is usually assumed by both old and young by 
the middle of autumn. The bird was shot in Norfolk in December. 
