Identifier: storiesaboutbird00kirb (find matches)
Title: Stories about birds of land and water
Year: 1874 (1870s)
Authors: Kirby, Mary, 1817-1893 Kirby, Elizabeth, 1823-1873
Subjects: Birds -- Juvenile literature
Publisher: Hartford (Conn.) : American Publishing Co.
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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urry to depart, for though the mate kept striking at him, every blow wasrepaid with interest by a hard grip of the talons, and a box on each earfrom the two powerful wings. At length, however, when the sea became calmer and the vessel ceasedto rock, the owl went away to his perch. The plumage of this owl, as you may suppose from his name, is white,and in the winter can hardly be distinguished from the snow. The only part•of our own islands that he inhabits is Shetland, and once or twice he has beenseen in Orkney. He likes solitary districts, and in these islands does not,as in America, come abroad in the day-time. On the approach of twilight, he prowls over the fields in search of mice THE SHORT-EARED OWL. 47 and small birds. When he first leaves his retreat, the crows and other birdsattack him. But he seems more amused by their clamour than alarmed at it,and dashing through the air soon leaves them behind. He is considered a bird of ill omen, and few people like to meddle with him.
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rHK SHORT-EARED OWL. THE SHORT-EARED OWL. Now and then the sportsman, as he makes his way over the fields in thesouth of England, rouses a bird that was sitting very contentedly by the greenmargin of a stream or brook. 48 . STOI^IES ABOUT BIRDS. He was just in the position in Avliich you see him in the picture, andappeared in a half dozing condition. But on being disturbed he flew away,darting hither and thither in different directions. When he had proceededin this way a few hundred yards, he stopped and settled down again. It is not clearly known whether he hunts by daylight, but, at any rate, hehas rather peculiar habits, considering he is an owl. He is often seen amongturnips, or by the side of a hedge, and even among the long grass. He is called the short-eared owl, and he has, as you see, two little tuftson his head, though they do not show much. His eyes are surrounded bybrownish-black feathers, that give him a very sleepy appearance. He is neverseen to perch on a tree, but gene

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