TAWNY OWL. 
ST 11 IX STRIDULA. 
The Tawny or Wood-Owl (as this species is often termed) may be met with in most parts of England, with 
the exception of those moorland districts that are utterly devoid of trees. Its favourite haunts appear to be 
dense woods of oak or elm ; I have also now and then found a stray bird or two resting by day in a thicket 
of Scotch firs. It is described by several writers as being of not unfrequent occurrence in many localities in 
the Highlands. As I have not observed above two or three specimens further north than East Lothian, I 
can state but little on my own authority as to its distribution in Scotland. 
I have seldom noticed this Owl venture beyond the darkest recesses of the wood it frequents during 
daylight, even if driven from its place of concealment. It does not usually start forth in pursuit of prey till 
some time after sundown. 
On several occasions I have heard this species accused of preying on young game ; but never having 
seen it abroad by daylight, I fancy the charges brought against it arc without foundation. Mice, rats, and 
moles arc most probably the chief items in its humble bill of fare, though the sharp and powerful claws with 
which it is furnished (and by means of which a wounded bird defends itself most desperately) would make 
short work of young rabbits or even leverets. That it may now and then be guilty of an attack on these 
quadrupeds cannot, I am of opinion, be denied by even its greatest admirers. I am aware that several 
instances have been recorded where these birds were ascertained to have provided their young with fish ; but 
I have never met with a chance of observing this habit; indeed, according to my own experience, they appear 
Mti* Owls tmg f0r PreJ “ the neighi0urh00d of "' ater than a “y species of our common 
Por breeding-purposes the Tawny Owl makes use of hollow trees, old nests of Crows or squirrels or even 
the car, taes formed by the decay of some large limb; the litter and old dead leaves that have\olleeted in the 
aperture appearing to satisfy all its requirements in the way of a nest Not unfren n 
to rabbit-holes. This curious habit is not the result of the eLX of ^1 T ^r ^ 
in this manner that they preferred an underground domicile" 1 di ? C ° VCr ° d 
m Norfolk. subsequently met with a similar instance 
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