L O N G - E A R E D O W L .
A young bird of tl.ia species that I took from tlio nest in Norfolk lived for a couple of years about
the house, and, although •Rowed the dm of bis wings, never made the slightest attempt to escape. During
the day he nppeared to prefer the darkest cornor of a room, and if carried into the open air seemed confused by
the light, refusing to move if placed on the ground or on a tree. Once or twice after dark he started from the
window on a voyage of discovery, but never remained absent more than a few minutes, appearing particularly
pleated to return to his aceustomed quarters, lie showed the greatest antipathy to dogs, puffing out Ins
feathers and spreading his wings as soon as he caught sight of one; on a near approach he became greatly
excited, bowing his head and intently following with his eyes every movement of the animal, and occasionally
giving vent to load screams.
Although he would, when hungry, feed readily on raw meat or birds, his especial fancy was for mice. Up
1o three-parts grown he bolted them whole, takiag down the head first, the tip of the tail remaining in sight
for some time from a corner of his mouth. If full-grow n, he occasionally held them in his claws, and lore oiT
the head and other portions before swallowing.
I imagined that his death, which occurred when ho was rather moro than two years old, might possibly
have been caused by the greater portion of his diet hav iug consisted of shot birds.
T A W N Y OWL.
STRIX STRIDULA.
THE Tawny or Wood-Owl (as this species is often ten
the exception of those moorland districts that are nth
dense woods of oak or elm ; I have also now and the:
of Scotch firs. It is described by several writers as bei
the Highlands. As I have not c
can state but little on my own :
I have seldom noticed tin
daylight, even if driven from it:
some time after sundown.
ed) may bo met with in most parts of England, with
lv devoid of trees. Its favourite kauuts appear to be
fouud a stray bird or two resting by day in a thicket
g of not [infrequent occurrence in many localities iu
observed above two or three specimens further north than East Lothian, I
ithority as to its distribution in Scotland.
Owl venture beyond the darkest recesses of the wood it frequents during
place of concealment. It does not usually start forth in pursuit of prey till
On s reral
seen it abroad by daylight, I far
moles are most probably the chic
which R is furnished (and by n
short work of young rabbits or
quadrupeds
I l i a jet with •:.
iccies accused of preying on young game; but never having
brought against il are without, foundation. Mice, rats, and
humble bill of fare, though the sharp and powerful claws with
a wounded bird defends itself most desperately) would make
That it may now and then lie guilty of an attack on these
a of opinion, he denied by even its greatest admirers. I am aware that several
irdcd where these birds were ascertained to have provided their youug with fish; but
ihanee of observing this habit; indeed, according to my own experience, they appear
i the irhood of water than any other species of
,-ny Owl makes i
some largo limb
less addicted to hunting :
British Owls.
For breeding-purposes
the cavities formed by the decay of son
aperture appearing to satisfy all its rc(
to rabbit-holes. This curious habit if
in a trap placed in a burrow in Stannic
or two pairs of these Owls; and I ulwt
in this manner that they preferred tin u
in Norfolk.
b of hollow trees, old nests of Crows or squirrels, or even
the litter and old dead leaves that have collected in the
the way of a nest. Not unfrcqucntly this species resorts
t the result of the scarcity of large timber, as 1 saw one captured
irk, in Sussex. The large woods in the park invariably harbour one
tnagincd they bred in the thickest part of the cover till I discovered
rground domicile. I have subsequently met with a similar instance
I n addition to the names Tawny and Wood-Owl, this species is also known as the Brown and the Ilootiag
Owl—the latter title being given on account of its note. The wild " b o o ! hoc! hoo!" this bird gives
utterance to has startled many a Imiightcd traveller while passing through the woods it frequents.