S H O R T - E A R E D OWL.
Tin- young, I imagine, leave thu nest some time before they are able to get on wing. I have frequently
eome across a single young one scaleil by itself in some snug corner among the dense covert nail after bunting
further, a second and then a third might eventually he discovered. Even after they are capable of flight the
family keep within a short distance or one another, appearing to resort to a certain spot for resting and
digesting their food. 1 have disturbed several broods in the marshes of East Norfolk, where for a spare of
twenty or thirty yards the greater part of the rushes and herbage were broken down by regular runs or tracks ;
the surface of the grass also was matted by their droppings, and thickly strewn with pellets as well us
ipiaalltisa of their feathers.
At times I have noticed one perched on ¡1 gate or post; hut more frequently they may he observed
steadying themselves on the small stunted willow bushes or the old stumps that are found along the
marsh-dykes.
Their nest, if they construct any, is simply a few strands of grass placed in a depression that is either
scratched out or formed by tin* bird while sitting.
The first Plate shows a Basil in the summer plumage and two young ones unable to lly. It will be readily
seen that the breeding-plumage of the adult is much lighter than the winter dress, in which we are accustomed
to meet with the bird. I find in my note-book the following remarks referring to young ones taken in Norfolk
on June 23, 1881. " Eyes king's yellow; beak dark horu or almost black; inside of mouth pale flesh; feet
ycllow-ochro ; soles of fret king's yellow ; claws dark horn."
The second Plate gives the regular winter plumage, which is usually assumed by both old and young by
the middle of autumn. The bird was shot in Norfolk in December.