(SHORT-EARED OWL.)
+Otus palustris+, _Darwin, Zool. Beagle_, iii. p. 33. +Otus
brachyotus+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 116; _Burm. La-Plata
Reise_, ii. p. 439 (Rosario); _Hudson, P. Z. S._ 1870, p. 800
(Buenos Ayres); _Durnford, Ibis_, 1877, p. 186 (Buenos Ayres),
et 1878, p. 396 (Patagonia). +Asio brachyotus+, _Gibson, Ibis_,
1879, p. 423 (Buenos Ayres); _White, P. Z. S._ 1882, p. 622
(Buenos Ayres); _Withington, Ibis_, 1888, p. 468 (Lomas de
Zamora). +Asio accipitrinus+, _Sharpe, Cat. B._ ii. p. 234.
_Description._--Above streaked and variegated with fulvous and
blackish brown; face whitish, with a large central blotch of
blackish round the eye; wings pale tawny white, with several
irregular broad blackish cross bars; tail whitish, with four or five
broad black cross bands: beneath as above, but much whiter on the
belly, which is only slightly streaked, and without markings on the
crissum and thighs; bill black; tarsi and toes densely feathered:
whole length 15·0 inches, wing 13·0, tail 6·0. _Female_ similar, but
rather larger.
_Hab._ Old and New Worlds.
The Short-eared Owl is found throughout the Argentine country, where
it is commonly called _Lechuzon_ (big Owl) in the vernacular. Like the
species last described--the Barn-Owl--it has an exceedingly wide range.
It is found throughout the continent of Europe; it also inhabits Asia
and Africa, many of the Pacific Islands, and both Americas, from Canada
down to the Straits of Magellan. Such a very wide distribution would
seem to indicate that it possesses some advantage over its congeners,
and is (as an Owl) more perfect than others. It is rather more diurnal
in its habits than most Owls, and differs structurally from other
members of its order in having a much smaller head. It is also usually
said to be a weak flier; but this I am sure is a great mistake, for it
seems to me the strongest flier amongst Owls, and very migratory in its
habits, or, at any rate, very much given to wandering. Probably its very
extensive distribution is due in some measure to a greater adaptability
than is possessed by most species; also to its better sight in the
daytime, and to its wandering disposition, which enables it to escape a
threatened famine, and to seize on unoccupied or favourable ground.
The bird loves an open country, and sits by day on the ground concealed
amongst the herbage or tall grass. An hour before sunset it quits its
hiding-place, and is seen perched on a bush or tall stalk, or sailing
about a few feet above the ground with a singularly slow, heron-like
flight; and at intervals while flying it smites its wings together under
its breast in a quick sudden manner. It is not at all shy, the intrusion
of a man or dog in the field it frequents only having the effect of
exciting its indignation. An imitation of its cry will attract all the
individuals within hearing about a person, and any loud unusual sound,
like the report of a gun, produces the same effect. When alarmed or
angry it utters a loud hiss, and at times a shrill laugh-like cry. It
also has a dismal scream, not often heard; and at twilight hoots, this
part of its vocal performance sounding not unlike the distant baying of
a mastiff or a bloodhound. It breeds on the ground, clearing a circular
spot, and sometimes, but not often, lining it with a scanty bed of dry
grass. The eggs are three or four, white, and nearly spherical.
The Short-eared Owl was formerly common everywhere on the pampas, where
the coarse indigenous grasses afforded the shelter and conditions best
suited to it. When in time this old rough vegetation gave place to the
soft perishable grasses and clovers, accidentally introduced by European
settlers, the Owl disappeared from the country, like the large
Tinamou (_Rhynchotis rufescens_), the Red-bellied Finch (_Embernagra
platensis_), and various other species; for the smooth level plains
afforded it no shelter. Now, however, with the spread of cultivation,
it has reappeared, and is once more becoming a common bird in the more
thickly-settled districts.