The Long-Eaked Owl. BIllDS. The Shout-Eahed Owl. 269 
itching sensation which takes place in the curative 
stage. For this purpose the head is rubbed upon a 
stone with water, which, thus impregnated, is received 
into a vessel, from which an attendant spurts a quantity 
of it on the body fi om time to time.” 
THE CEYLONESE EAEED-OWL {Ketupa ceylonensis), 
a second species of the genus above referred to, is 
found not only in Ceylon, but also in most parts of 
India. It is a large and powerful bird, which resem- 
bles the preceding species in its habits, and, like it, 
sometimes flies by day. Its principal activity is dur- 
ing the twilight, and at that time it emits its hoarse 
cry, which is described as resembling a harsh repulsive 
laugh, expressed by the syllables haw, hav), hav>, ho ! 
The third species {K. javanensis) appears to be pecu- 
liar to Java. 
THE LONG-EAEED OWL {Otus vulgaris ) — Plate 4, 
fig 10 — which is not an uncommon species in Britain, 
occurs also in most parts of the northern hemisphere. 
It inhabits the continent of Europe generally, and in 
France is the most common of all the owls. Eastward 
it extends its range as far as India, and towards the 
south it is found in the northern parts of Africa. It is 
also an abundant bird in the United States of America 
and in Canada, reaching as far north as the Hudson’s 
Bay teriitory, but apparently only advancing to such 
high latitudes during the summer. In other places it 
does not appear to be migratory. 
Wherever it occurs the Long-eared Owl always takes 
up its abode in wooded districts, usually preferring thick 
plantations of evergreen trees, or adopting the thick 
covering of ivy which often covers old trees in large 
woods, for its diurnal hiding-place. Unlike the gene- 
rality of the owls, which are rather noisy birds, the 
Long-eared Owl rarely lets his voice be heard, at least 
after he has arrived at the age of discretion ; the young- 
birds, however, are rather clamorous, emitting a loud 
and rather shrill, but somewhat plaintive cry, even after 
they have quitted the nest. This species is strictly 
nocturnal, rarely moving in the daytime except when 
disturbed in its retreat, but at night it is active in search 
of its prey, which consists of rats, mice, moles, and 
similar small four-footed game, together with insects and 
small birds. The latter it is said to capture by snatching 
them from their roosting-places, and, indeed, it is dif- 
ficult to imagine how it could obtain them in any other 
way. However this may be, the finches, warblers, and 
other small birds seem to regard the owl in the light 
of an enemy, and show the greatest animosity towards 
him whenever they have an opportunity for such a dis- 
play of their feelings. If he sliould by chance prolong 
his predatory excursions, so as to be surprised by the 
garish light of day when still at a distance from his 
favourite haunts, and thus be compelled to take refuge 
in some such imperfect shelter as a hedge or hush 
affords — the discovery, almost certain to take place, of 
the unfortunate sleeper in his temporary lodging, is the 
signal for a simultaneous rising amongst all the small 
birds in the neighbourhood, who flock to the place and 
raise such a commotion as rarely fails to cause the owl 
to change his quarters ; and should he be at such a 
distance from the thick woods and plantations as to 
render his reaching them very difficult, or even im- 
possible, while his senses are dimmed by the unwonted 
glare, the disturbance -will sometimes last until the 
shades of evening put a stop to it. by dismissing the 
little persecutors to their roosting-places, and placing 
the owl in a position to avenge himself for their insults 
if they still ventured to continue their annoyance. 
The Long-eared Owl builds early in the season ; the 
young being frequently hatched in April. It rarely 
builds a nest for itself, being content to lay either in 
the hole of a tree, or more commonly in the deserted 
nest of some other bird of suitable size — such as the 
rook, the crow, or the woodpigeon — which it usually 
repairs roughly by the addition of a stick or two. The 
eggs are four in number, and, like those of the owls in 
general, pure white. 
THE SHORT-EARED OWL {Otus hrachyotus), like 
the long-eared owl, is met with pretty abundantly 
in the northern parts of both hemispheres, inhabiting 
the higher latitudes during the summer, and migrating 
southwards as the cold weather approaches. In this 
country the Short-eared Owl is a permanent resident, 
that is to say, many individuals remain with us through- 
out the year, and build in some parts of the kingdom ; 
but their numbers receive a great increase in the 
autumn by an immigration from the northern parts of 
Europe, especially the Scandinavian peninsula. This 
immigration occurs at the same period with that of the 
woodcocks, and hence this bird is sometimes called tlie 
Woodcock Owl. In the spring there is a migration in 
the opposite direction, many individuals returning to 
their northern home, to pass the summer and breed. 
This species measures from fourteen to fifteen inches 
in length. It has a small head, adorned with a pair 
of little tufts, which, like those of the other Eared- 
owls, can be elevated or depressed at pleasure. The 
facial discs are complete, and composed of light- brown 
feathers, which are nearly black at their base, forming 
a dark ring round each eye ; the plumage of the head, 
neck, back, and wings is dark brown, with the edges 
of the feathers fawn-colour ; the primaries of the wings 
and the tail feathers are pale, barred with dark brown ; 
and the lower surface of the body is pale buff, witli 
patches and streaks of dark brown. 
Unlike the long-eared owl, this species does not 
shelter itself in the woods and plantations, but frequents 
the open country, and rests upon the ground in fields, 
and on commons, heaths, and moors. Here it lies close 
amongst the herbage and stubble of the turnip and 
corn fields, and the heath and other plants of its wilder 
haimts ; in the former situations it is freiiuently flushed 
by sportsmen, when partridge- shooting late in the 
autumn. In the winter, when the frost has cut off 
much of the vegetation on the open grounds, this owl 
takes shelter at the bottom of the hedge-rows. Its 
ordinary food consists of small quadrupeds and birds, 
which it captures at night; although, when disturbed 
during the day-time, it does not seem to be so much 
inconvenienced by the glare as some of its allies. In 
the Orkneys, indeed, according to Mr. Low, it even 
pursues its prey during the day. That writer says, “ It 
is impudent in breeding-time, sometimes catching up 
chickens from the doors — I have likewise seen it in chase 
of pigeons in daylight, which is not ordinary with the 
