The Tawny Owl is a common inhabitant of the well-wooded parts of England, Wales, and Scotland, though in the north of the last-named country it becomes decidedly scarce and local. In Ireland it has not yet been obtained. It nests early in March, the eggs being usually placed in a hollow tree, though it often makes use of deserted nests of Rooks, Crows, or Hawks, and sometimes nests on the ground at the base of a tree. The eggs are white and glossy and much rounder in shape than those of the Barn Owl. It is extremely nocturnal, never appearing till quite dark, and seldom pursuing its prey in the open, but keeping to glades and rides in the woods. Its hoot is a loud “hoo hoo,” and is repeated with great frequency. This species is never met with on migration, but is one of the most resident of birds, rarely wandering far from its birthplace. The sexes are alike, except that the female is slightly larger. The general colour is usually of a warm tawny brown, mottled and streaked with darker shades of the same colour; the under parts are pale buffish white, striped with dark brown. There are two phases of this species which are alike in markings, but in one the predominating tint is red and in the other grey. Length 15 in.; wing 10 in. TENGMALM’S OWL Nyctala tengmalmi (J. F. Gmelin) This species is an inhabitant of the pine forests of Northern Europe, migrating southwards in winter. A few stragglers have occurred in these islands from time to time. The general colour above is umber brown, spotted and marked with white; the facial disk is white with a dark outer ring; under parts whitish, barred and streaked with brown. Length 9 in.; wing 6·5 in. [Illustration: TAWNY OWL _Syrnium aluco_] The plumage of this species is exceptionally thick and downy; the feathers on the legs and toes especially so. THE LITTLE OWL Athene noctua (Scopoli) This bird has undoubtedly occurred on many occasions as a straggler in this country, but its claim as a British Bird now rests on introductions which have been made in Kent, Northampton, Bedford, Yorkshire, and other places where it has more or less established itself as a breeding species, and is slowly extending its range from at least one of these centres. It is a small species, living chiefly on insects and mice, and is generally found in well-wooded country, where it may be often seen sitting on a dead tree or post, sunning itself, for it is largely diurnal in its habits. The plumage above is a warm brown spotted with white; under parts white striped with brown. The female is rather larger than the male. Length about 9 in.; wing 6 in. In this species the feathers on the legs and toes are quite short, being little more than bristles on the latter, a point by which it may be easily distinguished from the preceding species.