Part 41

Nest.—They lay from four to seven pure white eggs, usually in old crow nests.

Range.—Resident from the Gulf to Nova Scotia and Manitoba.

SHORT-EARED OWL 367. Asio flammeus. 15.5 in.

Ear tufts very short; general color buffy, not nearly as brown nor as dark as the last species usually is. They are not nearly as nocturnal as most of the owls, and most of their hunting is done about dusk, when they may be seen flying close to the ground over marshes or low land. Their flight is perfectly silent, which aids them in securing their prey of field mice, which they usually get without stopping in their flight, just swooping down, extending their long legs, armed with wicked little claws, and it is all over with the little rodent, he being carried to a nearby stump, and devoured, fur, bones and all.

Notes.—A very short, shrill cry, evidently their call note, and a low clucking uttered as they swoop over your head; besides the usual snapping of the bill.

Nest.—On the ground, usually in marshes; the four to seven eggs are pure white, (1.55 × 1.25).

Range.—Breeds locally from the Gulf to the Arctic regions; winters throughout the United States.

BARRED OWL 368. Strix varia. 20 in.

Eyes dark brown. This is the most abundant of the large owls throughout its range. It has no ears. This species is the common “hoot owl,” that is the terror of small children and many older ones. They are noisy birds, and two of them like to get at opposite sides of a piece of woods and talk to each other. Their notes are very variable but are oftenest combinations of “who-whos” and “too-toos,” often ending in a mournful wail. They spend the day in slumber, unless routed out of the dense trees where they rest, by crows or human beings. They are one of the least harmful of the family and should be protected.

Nest.—Usually in hollow trees, but sometimes in old crow nests. Eggs pure white (1.95 × 1.65).

Range.—Resident in eastern North America. 368a. Florida Barred Owl (alleni), is smaller, darker and the toes are unfeathered, as are those of 368b, Texas Barred Owl, found in southern Texas.

GREAT GRAY OWL 370. Scotiaptex nebulosa. 27 in.

Tail long; eyes small and yellow. This large owl is only found in Northern United States during the winter. Its tail is unusually long, as are all its feathers, thereby making it appear a very much larger bird than it really is; it weighs but little more than the Barred Owl. They do not appear to be in especial abundance anywhere, but occasionally large flights of them will occur in some parts of the country; they seem to occur most freely in Minnesota and North Dakota. They are nocturnal like the majority of the family, and subsist largely upon mice and hares.

Nest.—Of sticks, in trees, usually pines, in heavily wooded districts; eggs white (2.15 × 1.70).

Range.—Breeds from southern Labrador, Hudson Bay and Alaska northward; winters south to the northern border of the United States and casually to Long Island and Illinois.

RICHARDSON OWL 371. Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni. 10 in.

This species bears considerable resemblance to the little Acadian Owls, but is grayer; the top of the head has numerous round white spots and the wing coverts are spotted with white.

Nest.—Usually in holes of trees; eggs white.

Range.—Breeds throughout Canada, and possibly in the northern parts of the northern states; winters south to northern United States.

SAW-WHET OWL; ACADIAN OWL. 372. Cryptoglaux acadica. 8 in.

Smallest of our eastern Owls; no ear tufts. General color brownish above and white below with the sides streaked with brown. No markings on wing coverts, but scapulars spotted with white. It is chiefly nocturnal in its habits and, consequently, is not often seen even if they are abundant.

Range.—Breeds from northern U. S. northward; winters in northern United States.

SCREECH OWL 373. Otus asio. 9.5 in.

Two color phases independent of age, sex or season; eyes yellow; has ear tufts. The Screech Owl, or its sub-species, is found throughout the United States, and is one of the most abundant and best known of the family. They are not at all timid, in winter frequently being found in church towers, while on the outskirts of cities and in the country, they reside, at all seasons of the year, in orchards. They remain mated for life, and live in the same tree for years, if not too much disturbed by curious boys. Both adults and the four young are often found in the nest together, and they offer no resistance when they are removed by hand. Their food is almost wholly of insects and rodents.

Notes.—A wavering trill.

Nest.—In holes of trees; eggs white (1.35 × 1.20).

Range.—Resident in U. S. and southern Canada. 373a. Florida Screech Owl (floridanus), is smaller and slightly darker, 373b. Texas Screech Owl (mccalli), is smaller and more heavily barred on the sides.

GREAT HORNED OWL 375. Bubo virginianus. 23 in.