11 MAY 1929, Page 15

WRYNECR VERSUS OWL.

A neighbour of mine had both little owls and wrynecks nesting in his garden, and kept particular notice of the wry- necks, which are not very often attracted to nesting boxes. At first there seemed to be no interference from the owls, but as the time for hatching approached he saw one of the little owls perch- on the box and attempt to force an entrance, fortunately in vain : the hole was small and the door tight. But he feared for the young wryneck when they should emerge and hardened his heart against the pair of little owls. The abnormal multiplication of the little owl is doubtless in part due to the innumerable nesting sites available ; for where old trees with convenient holes fail, they are quite content with holes in the ground, and will even live together with rabbits.

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