214 NOTES ON THE 



concealed spots of white; face ashy- white; throat white; under 

 parts ashy-white, with longitudinal stripes of pale reddish- 

 brown; under coverts of wings and tail white; quills brown 

 with small spots of white on their outer edges, and large spots 

 of the same on their inner webs; tail brown; every feather 

 with about three pairs of spots of white; bill and claws dark; 

 irides yellow. 



Length, 7.50 to 8; wing, 5.50. 



Habitat, North America. 



MEGASCOPS ASIO (L.). (373.) 



SCREECH OWL. 



This owl's presence in different portions of the timbered sec- 

 tions has been verified beyond a question, by its distinctive 

 notes for a great many years, yet it has only occasionally been 

 seen. When riding through the dark primeval forest which 

 formerly encompassed Lake Minnetonka, it was no unusual 

 experience in early .-spring, to hear one or more of these birds 

 screech in the distance, particularly if a few rays of a pretty full 

 moon found their way through the leafless branches. That 

 they breed here there can be no doubt, for they are here in 

 summer. But one nest has been found that I have had the 

 privilege of examining. It was in a hollow stump and con- 

 sisted of grass, leaves, plenty of moss, and some feathers. 



It contained four, nearly round, polished, white eggs, having 

 been discovered about the 10th of May, but was not invaded 

 till the 16th. 



The lumbermen claim that they hear their screechings at 

 times all winter in the pine forests about Mille Lacs, and other 

 logging sections. 



Dr. Hvoslef reports them "occasional" at Lanesboro, but 

 does not state at what season of the year. 



Mr. Washburn makes the same report from Devil's Lake in 

 August. 



The nest is generally in a hole in a tree at varying elevations 

 from the ground, but has occasionally been found in other situ- 

 ations, notably about isolated old outhouses and barns. They 

 build about the first week in May. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 



Upper parts pale ashy-brown, with longitudinal lines of 

 brownish-black, mottled irregularly with the same and with 

 cinereous; under parts ashy- white, with longitudinal stri]ies of 

 brownish-black, and with transverse lines of the same color; 

 face, throat and tarsi ashy white, irregularly lined and mottled 



