S H O R T - E A R E D OWL.
OTUS BRACEYOTUS.
Tun old m b n of Woodcock-Owl was probably given to this apimln. on account of its arrival having been
sup|M>*ed hy our ancestors to denote the fact thai Woodcocks would shortly make their appearance on our
coasts. Without doubt, large [lights at times reach our eastera shores during the autumn and earlv winter;
these, I conclude from reports 1 have received from the light-ships, are birds that have crossed the North Sen.
We are also visited in the spriog hy a few stragglers t i n t have pissed the winter mmtbs on the continent. On
several occasions, usually soon after daylight, I have met with single birds in advanced breeding-plumage
within a short distance of the English Channel, both in Kent and Sussex, the date of their appearance heiug
from the middle to the latter end of April. I particularly noticed that Ihe-o bird- rewtned tighter iu rdumage
than those that passed the winter on our shorisi.
During summer the Short-cared Owl may he found nesting iu many parts of the British Islands. I have
met with them in the Hebrides and Inverness.* hi re, and iu one instance on the west coast of lloss-shire. In
the north-west of Perthshire they are particularly numerous \ I have eume across their nests on many ore is ions
on the Grouse-moors. I found one pair, which I believe to have been breeding, on the bills near Whilhy In
Yorkshire, though I was unablo to detect either eggs or young. Many years ago I captured an unlledged
nestling on the outskirts of Wieken fen, near lily; and at the present date this speck's still broods in
considerable numbers in the east of Norfolk.
Small birds about the size of Larka and Pipits, together with two or three different members of the ntonae
family, appear to be the usual food of this Owl. The pellets, which may he found in immense numbers iu the
neighbourhood of their haunts, clearly indicate the description of prey on which they subsist. 1 have heard
it stated that they an' al times destructive to young game; ibis 1 should much doubt, unless a partly-lied c;ed
.Snipe has happened to come under their observation.
During the winter months these Owls may usually be wen burning for prey as enrly as I i>. M.,
occasionally in dull weather even earlier. In summer they may be noticed soaring at all hours of the day
over the marshes or moors when- their young are located. When disturbed by tho intrusion of visitors to
their haunts, they remain circling over the intruders, uttering a sharp undoing cry, swooping down at tlnu-s
as if with the intention of making an attack in defence of their progeny, then sailing slowly away to a
distance, and ever and anon returning again, till their quarters are left in peace. I repeatedly watched them
while the sun was shining brightly ; and they appeared not in the slightest incommoded by tho strong light.
I have found their nests in the north in heather and rough grass. On the cast coast, where I met with
many opportunities of si inlying their habits, they seem to prefer the roughest and wildest situations they aro
able to select. In some localities the rush.marshes tire left for several years uncut ; here a luxuriant crop of
thistles, docks, and other rank-growing plants soon becomes established; these wastes are the favourite
quarters of tin' Marsh-Owl, as this species is termed by the natives.