344: 



*Scops Nevia, Gmel, Mottled Owl. 



Common. I am not yet satisfied that the mottled and red owls are specifically 

 the same. 



*BuBO ViRGiNiANUs, Gmel. Great Horned Owl. 



One of our most numerous species. I once put a remarkably large and fine owl 

 of this species iuto the same cage with the " Washington Eagle," previously men- 

 tioned, which soon resulted in a contest. The moment a bird was given to the owl, 

 the eagle demanded it iu liis usual peremptory manner, which was promptly resisted 

 with so much spirit and determination, that for a time I was in doubt as to the result; 

 but finally the eagle had to stand aside, and witness the owl devour the coveted 

 morsel. After several similar contests, it was mutually settled that possession gave 

 an undisputed right, the owl not being disposed to act on the offensive. I had a fine 

 red-shouldered hawk in the same aviary, which the owl killed and ate the second 

 night. 



Bubo Subarcticus, Hoy. White-bellied Horned Owl. 



This winter visitor I consider closely allied, yet distinct from the common homed 

 owl, and as such it is described in the Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. vol. vi. page 211. I have 

 ns yet examined but three specimens. The specimen in the collection of the Acad- 

 emy was known to carry off from one farm, in the space of a month, not less than 

 twenty-seven individuals of various kinds of poultry, before it was shot. 



SuRNiuM CiNERECM, Linn. Great Grey Owl. 



Not numerous. I have a fine male specimen, shot near Racine, Jan. 4, 1848. A 

 remarkable peculiarity of this specimen was, that the irides were brilliant blood-red, 

 I saw one size carry off a duck on Lake Superior, near the mouth of Cerf river, 

 Sept. 1st, 1845. 



*Syrnium Nebulosum, Linn. Barred Owl. 

 Common in the heavy timbered districts. 



*0tus Vulgaris, And. Long-eared Owl. 



More numerous iu the vicinity than any other owl. The young leave the nest 

 about the middle of June. 



*0tus Brachyotus, Linn. Short-eared Owl. 



Common on the prairies, where they nest on the ground, in the tall grass. The 

 young are fully fledged by the second week in June. 



*NycTALE Acadica, Gmel. Acadian Owl. 

 Common. 



Nyctale Tengmalmi, Gmel. 



I procured a single specimen near Racine, Kov. 30th, 1850. Not uncommon on 

 the head waters of the Wisconsm river. 



Nyctale Kirtlandii, Hoy. Kirtland's Owl. 



A third species of this genus, found here, and described in the Proc. Acad. Nat, 

 Sci. vol.v'. page 210. 



Only two specimens have yet been obseryed. 



