The MARSH OWL (_Otus brachyotus_) is closely allied to the bird above
described, and is found in all parts of the globe, with the exception
of New Holland. The head of this species is smaller than that of the
Woodland Owl, and its long wings reach far beyond the tail. The tufts
above the ears are composed of from two to four feathers, and the plumage
is principally of a bright but pale yellow; the feathers upon the head
and lower parts of the body have black shafts, whilst those of the
wing-covers are yellow upon the outer and black upon the inner web; they
are likewise tipped with black. The quills of the tail are striped with
greyish brown. The radiating feathers upon the face are whitish grey, and
the eyes light yellow. The young are somewhat darker than their parents.
The length of this bird is from fourteen to sixteen inches, and its
breadth from forty to forty-two inches.
The peculiar characteristics of the Marsh Owls are their preference for
fens and bogs, and their practice of wandering from one place to another;
they frequent all the northern parts of the globe, and are by no means
rare in any of the countries in which they are seen; in the more southern
latitudes they appear about October, and leave again in the month of
March. At night they fly softly and slowly in search of mice, lemmings,
and insects, upon which they chiefly subsist; and usually pass the day
amidst the grass and reeds that overspread their favourite haunts; if
disturbed they crouch to the ground, and allow the enemy to approach
quite close, then, rising suddenly, they hover in the air, or soar to
a very considerable height. Their voice is gentle, and their anger
expressed by snapping violently with the beak. The nest is extremely
simple in its construction, and invariably placed upon the ground. The
female lays three or four white eggs about May.
* * * * *
The DWARF EARED OWLS (_Scops_) are recognisable by their large heads,
long wings, in which the second quill exceeds the rest in length, short
slightly-rounded tail, high sparsely-feathered tarsi, and bare toes. The
beak is powerful and much curved, the plumage smooth and variegated,
the ear-tufts short, and the feathers that surround the aperture of the
ear but slightly developed. The members of this group inhabit Southern
Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. From these we shall select the
European species as a type of the rest.