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BIRDS OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND. 
Grange, found, in 1883 or 1884, five young and one egg of this species in an 
old INIagpie’s nest at Ketton Pits, and in INlay, 1887, a brother of JMr. Betts found, 
in an old Carrion-Crow’s nest at Ketton, three young Long-eared Owls and three 
eggs, the latter being evidently of a later laying.” 
SHORT-EARED OWL. Asio hrachyotus (Forster). 
“ Woodcock-Owl.” 
A winter migrant, generally distributed, but not common, and never 
remaining to breed. — Mr. Babington (Appendix ‘ Potter,’ p. 66) mentioned it as 
occurring “ in the wilder parts of the moors, and in turnip-fields.” This species, 
unlike any other Owl, is frequently seen in the daytime, often falling to the 
gun of the sportsman in the autumn, and Harley justly remarked that its flight 
is “ performed in an awkward, vacillating manner, reeling, as it were, from side 
to side.” Mr. Ingram writes Occurs amongst gorse-bushes and low shrubs, 
generally two or three together.” The late Mr. Widdowson, from whom I 
received several specimens, considered them fairly common near Melton. One, 
procured at Leicester Abbey on 20th Sept., 1882, by Mr. Warner’s keeper, was 
presented to the IMuseum. IMr. Davenport shot one at Ashlands, in September, 
1882, and Mr. Macaulay reported one shot at Smeeton Hills, 15th Nov., 1882. 
In Rutland. — As in Leicestershire. — Lord Gainsborough reports it from 
Bainsdale and Exton, and IMr. Horn remarks that it is occasionally flushed from 
turnips in the Partridge-shooting season. 
TAWNY OWL. Syrniuvi aluco (Linnaeus). 
“ Brown Owl,” “ Grey Owl,” “ Ivy-Owl,” “ Wood-Owl.” 
Resident, but not very common. — I received two nestlings (a male and female 
by dissection) taken at Bradgate, 15th May, 1885, and an adult pair jirocured at 
Newtown Linford, on 19th Dec., 1885. The gizzard of the male contained the 
beak of a Sparrow or Greenfinch, a few feathers and bones, and a quantity of fur 
of IMice, including a lower jaw of the Bank-Vole. The gizzard of the female 
contained a little fur and some remains of the Bank- Vole, a quantity of feathers, 
and two beaks of Sparrows. 
In Rutland. — As in Leicestershire. — Mr. Horn writes me : — “ On 2nd April, 
1886, 1 took a clutch of four eggs from a hollow branch of a willow-tree near 
Wardley Wood. From the same place in the previous year we took a young one. 
They are said to have bred in this clump of willow-trees, all more or less hollow, 
for many years.” 
I JTTLE OWL. Athene noctua (Scopoli). 
Has not occurred in the counties, although Harley writes : — “ I record this 
on the authority of an ornithological friend resident at Melton Mowbray, who 
