LITTLE OWL. 
(57 
RAPTORES. 
STRIGID/E. 
LITTLE OWL. 
Noctua nudipes (Nilsson). 
PLATE XIX. FIG. III. 
So little is known regarding the habits of the three 
species of small owls, which are only periodical and rare 
visitors to our shores, that I feel much indebted to the 
late Mr. Hoy for the following information regarding the 
present species, as well as for specimens of its eggs. 
The Little Owl is, like the rest of the family, an early 
breeder. It not unfrequently makes its nest in the holes 
of trees; old ruins, however, and the towers of churches 
are its favourite resort. It appears to be of a quarrel¬ 
some disposition, two pairs being rarely met with as near 
neighbours during the breeding-season. 
The eggs are usually four, sometimes five in number, 
and vary a little in size as well as contour. 
«r 
The Little Owl makes no nest, although an accumula¬ 
tion of rubbish arising from its castings may be frequently 
found in the hole, which is often made use of for a long¬ 
time previous to incubation. 
In addition to the several instances ojL its appearance 
in this country, enumerated by Mr. Yarrell, I may add, 
on the authority of Mr. J. J. Briggs, of Melbourn, Derby¬ 
shire, that a specimen of the Little Owl was taken in that 
county, and exhibited alive during the last spring. 
Mr. Gurney makes the following announcement in the 
“ Zoologist.” “ A pair of passerine owls which I had in 
