File:Birds of Britain (1907) (14755101302).jpg

Identifier: birdsofbritain00bonh (find matches)
Title: Birds of Britain
Year: 1907 (1900s)
Authors: Bonhote, J. Lewis (John Lewis), 1875-1922 Dresser, Henry Eeles, 1838-1915
Subjects: Birds -- Great Britain
Publisher: London, A. and C. Black
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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ionally gives rise to a short mellowbark. The sexes resemble each other and are bufiish, heavilyspeckled and vermiculated with dark brown, ashy, and white.The markings of the young are yellowish, and warmer intint. The name is derived from two longish tufts of feathersabove the facial disc, which can be erected at will. Length14 in.; wing 115 in. THE SHORT-EARED OWL Asio accipitrinus (Pallas) Unlike the preceding species, this bird inhabits fens,,marshes, and open moorlands. In Scotland it nests fairlycommonly, but in England it is decidedly rare and local as.a breeding species, while it has never been known to breedin Ireland. The nest is placed on the ground, at the foot of a smallbush in long sedge, or among heather. No real nest ismade, but a few bits of grass or heather are arranged roundthe eggs. These are usually five in number, and, like allOwls eggs, pure white. In some seasons these Owls be-come much more abundant in certain places, due generally 192 LONG-EARED OWL Asia otus
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The Short-eared Owl to a great increase in their food, which consists almostentirely of field-voles. In the years when these volesincrease to an enormous extent, this species will also appearnesting in considerable numbers, where it was almost un-known before, and in such seasons as many as twelve eggshave been found in a clutch. It is by no means a nocturnalbird but takes its food by day, and may thus be easilynoticed on its approach in a new locality. The flight issomewhat heavy and uncertain, frequently twisting aboutand rolling from side to side. In autumn, large immigrations reach this country fromabroad, and during the winter it becomes quite common insuitable places throughout England and Ireland. He isfrequently flushed from the turnip-fields in October, and isfor this reason known in some places as the WoodcockOwl. In plumage it resembles the preceding species, but themarkings are bolder and the delicate grey vermiculationsare entirely absent. The ear tufts are much shorter.L

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