ACCIPITRES STRIGIDyE OTUS. 27 



GENUS OTUS. Cuvier. 



With small tufts. Ear-opening exceedingly large, with an anterior semicircular operculum. 

 Bill short, broader than high at base, gently bent at the tip. Nostrils large, oblique. Feet 

 robust, moderately long. Tarsi short, and with the toes feathered. Wings long and 

 broad. Tail short, slightly rounded. Second quill longest. 



THE LONG-EARED OWL. 



Otus americanus. 



plate xi. fig. 24. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Strix otus. Wilson, Orn. Vol. 6, p. 73, pi 51, fig 1. 



S. ( Vhtla) otus. Bonap. Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 37. 



Long-eared Owl. Aodcbon, folio, pi. 383; Orn. Biog. Vol. 4. p. 573. Nottall, Manual Orn. Vol. 1, p. 130. 



Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 72. 

 Otus vulgaris. Aud. B. of A. Vol. 1. p. 13G, pi. 37 (male). 

 Otus americanus. Bonap. Comp. List, p. 7. 

 Otus vulgaris, Long-eared Owl. Giracd, Birds of Long island, p. 25. 



Characteristics. Mottled, cinereous, brown and rufous. Tufts long, pointed. Wings 

 scarcely reaching beyond the tail. Length, 15 inches. 



Description. Lower mandible slightly sinuous on the cutting edge. Facial disk com- 

 plete. Tufts elongated, and composed of five or six feathers. Second and third quills sub- 

 equal. Tail moderately rounded. Legs covered with short feathers to the nails. 



Color. Above mottled with yellowish, black, brown and soiled white. Forehead and sum- 

 mit of the head speckled with white. Wings with interrupted bars of black. Facial disk 

 reddish brown, with a dark inner circle near the orbit, more or less complete. Tail greyish, 

 with from six to eight brown bars. Legs buff, nearly unspotted. Throat, breast and belly 

 greyish white, with darkish longitudinal streaks assuming a crucial form on the belly. Fe- 

 male, with the throat and face browner. Young, reddish white, with transverse blackish 

 lines. 



Length, 14-0- 17-0. 



The Long-eared Owl is found chiefly in the Eastern and Middle States, where it breeds. 

 It has been seen as far north as 62°. In this State, they are found in remote woods in the 

 winter, and feed on the smaller quadrupeds and birds. It is peculiar to America, and repre- 

 sents here the Otus vulgaris of Europe. 



4* 



