106 
STRIX BRACHYOTOS. 
this species, however remote and different the countries 
may he where it has taken up its residence. 
31 . STRIX BRACHYOTOS , WILSON. SHORT-EARED OWL. 
WILSON, PLATE XXXIII. FIG. Ill MALE EDINBURGH COLLEGE 
MUSEUM. 
This is another species common to both continents, 
being 1 found in Britain as far north as the Orkney Isles, 
where it also breeds, building its nest upon the ground, 
amidst the heath ; arrives and disappears in the south 
parts of England with the woodcock, that is, in October 
and April ; consequently does not breed there. It 
is called at Hudson’s Bay, the mouse hawk ; and is 
described as not Hying, like other owls, in search of 
prey, but sitting quiet, on a stump of a tree, watching 
for mice. It is said to he found in plenty in the woods 
near Chatteau Bay, on the coast of Labrador. In the 
United States, it is also a bird of passage, coming to us 
from the north in November, and departing in April. 
It has the stern aspect of a keen, vigorous, and active 
bird ; and is reputed to be an excellent mouser. It 
flies frequently by day, particularly in dark, cloudy 
weather, takes short flights ; and, when sitting and 
looking sharply around, erects the two slight feathers 
that constitute its horns, which are at such times very 
noticeable ; but, otherwise, not perceivable. No person, 
on slightly examining this bird after being shot, would 
suspect it to be furnished with horns ; nor are they 
discovered but by careful search, or previous observa- 
tion on the living bird. Bewick, in his History of 
British Birds , remarks, that this species is sometimes 
seen in companies, — twenty-eight of them being once 
counted in a turnip field in November. 
Length, fifteen inches ; extent, three feet four inches ; 
general colour above, dark brown, the feathers broadly 
skirted with pale yellowish brown ; bill, large, black ; 
irides, rich golden yellow, placed in a bed of deep black, 
which radiates outwards all around, except towards 
