132 THE ESSEX NATUKALIST, 
SOUTHERN LITTLE OWL. 
(Carine glaux.) 
Mr. Oldfield Thomas examined pellets of this Egyptian race 
of owl, and recognised teeth of the musk shrew, Cvocidura 
veligiosa of Arvicanthis variegatus, and the Egyptian form of 
the house mouse, Mus musculus ortentalis, with skulls of house 
sparrow. Insect remains were comparatively scarce but in- 
cluded mandibles, etc., of the false scorpion Galeodes arabs. The 
house mice were in the greatest number, but the shrew-remains. 
were numerous.s! 
Mr. T. A. Coward observed that pellets of this bird, received. 
by him from Luxor, in Upper Egypt, included “ considerable 
quantities of sand mixed with and felted into the hair in the 
interior of the pellet.’’52 
MoTTLED Woop-OwlL. 
(Syrnium ocellatum.) 
Castings of this Bengal species of owl were examined, and 
found to consist of small rodents.53 
SPOTTED OWLET. 
(Athene brama.) 
Another Bengal owl, whose pellets were found to consist of 
insects and bats.5+ 
SNowy OWL. 
A captive bird of this species was observed repeatedly to: 
throw up castings.55 Other pellets, examined in the Arctic 
regions, were found to contain remains of lemmings,5° and 
of the Little Auk.57 
Witherby says that spiders are found in its castings.58 
SPOTTED EAGLE OWL OF SOUTH AFRICA. ; 
Of this South African owl (? Bubo capensis or B. maculosus 
it is recorded : “‘ Before the young are hatched there is a pretty 
fair layer of pellets ejected by the sitting bird, and this forms 
a soft bed for the little ones.’’59 
51T A.Coward,F.Z.S., “Note on the Little Owl andits Food,” Manchester Memoirs, vol 
lvi., 1912, No. 8, 
52 Ibid. = 
53 Zoologist, 1902, p. 212. 
54 Ibid. 1902 p. 213 
55 Zoologist 1863, p. 8639; tbid. 1864, p. 9318. 
56 Zoologist, 1878, p. 417 5 tbid 1880, p. I2I. 
57 Zoologist, 1895, p. 9 
58 Practical Handbook oF British Birds, ii., 1920, p. 66, 
59 Zoologist, 1875, Pp. 4353. 
