90 NOKTir AMERICAN BIRDS. 



the ground ; iuid, according to lUchardson, in the fur regions it sometimes lays 

 its eggs in that manner, at other times in the deserted nests of other birds, on 

 low busiies. IVIr. llulcliins speaks of its depositing tliem as early as Ai>ril. 

 Eichardson received one found in Jlay ; and another nest was observed, in 

 tlie same neigldjorhood, which contained three eggs on the 5th of Jul_y. 

 Wilson speaks of this Owl as having been abundant in his day in the vicin- 

 ity of Pliiladelphia, and of six or seven having been found in a single tree. 

 He also mentions it as there breeding among the branches of tall trees, and 

 in one jiarticular instance as having taken possession of the nest of a Qua 

 Bird {Nydiardca gardcni), where Wilson found it sitting on four eggs, while 

 one of tiie Herons had her own nest on the same tree. Audubon states 

 that it usually accommodates itself by making use of tlie abandoned nests 

 of other birds, whether these are built high or low. It also makes use of 

 the fissures of rocks, or builds on the ground. 



As this Owl is known to breed early in April, and as numerous instances 

 are given of their eggs being taken in July, it is probable tliey liave two 

 broods in a season. Mr. J. S. Brandigee, of Berlin, Conn., found a nest 

 early in April, in a hendock-tree, situated in a thick dark evergreen woods. 

 Tlie nest was flat, made of coarse sticks, and contained four fresh eggs 

 when the parent was shot. 



jMr. Itidgway found this Owl to be very abundant in the Sacramento Valley, 

 as well as throughout the Great Basin, in both regions inhabiting dense wil- 

 low copses near the streams. In the interior it generally lays its eggs in the 

 deserted nests of the Mag))ie. 



The eggs of this Owl, when fresli, are of a brilliai>t white color, with a 

 slight pinkish tinge, which they preserve even after having been blown, if 

 kept i'rom the light. They are of a rounded-oval shape, and obtuse at either 

 end. They vary considerabh- in size, measuring from 1.65 to 1.50 inches in 

 length, and from 1.30 to 1.35 inclies in breadth. Two eggs, taken from tlie 

 same nest by Kev. C. M. Jones, liave the following measurements : one 1.60 

 by 1.34 inches, the other 1.50 by I. '■'<{) inches. 



Otus (Brachyotus brachyotus, Steph. 



SHORT-EARED OWL; MARSH OWL. 



Slrix brachyotus, G.MEL. Syst. Nat. 289, 1789. — FousT. Pliil. Trans. LXII, 384. — "Wils. 

 Am. Orn. pi. x.\.\iii, f. 3. — AuD. Birds Am. pi. ecccxx.xii, 1831. — Ib. Orn. Biog. V, 

 273. — Rich. & Swains. F. B. A. U, 75. — Bonap. Ann. Lye. N. Y. II, 37. — Thomps. 

 N. H. Vermont, p. 66. — Peab. Birds JIass. p. 89. Ulula brachyotus, James. (AVil-s.), 

 Am. Orn. I, 106, 1831. — Nnr. JIan. 132. Otus brachyotus, (Steph.) Jaud. (Wils.), 

 Am. Orn. 11,63, 1832. — Peale, U. S. Expl. Exp. VIII, 75. — Kavp, Monog. Strig. 

 Cont. Orn. 1852, 114. — Ib. Tr. Zool. Soc. IV, 1859, 236. — Hudson, P. Z. S. 1870, 

 799 (liabits). Asio liracliyotus, Srr.icKi,. Orn. Syn. I, 259, 1855. Otus brachyotus 

 amcricanus, ILvx. Cab. Jour. II, 1858, 27. Brachyotus jmlttstris, Bos'AP. List. 1838, 

 p. 7. — RiDGW. in CouE-s Key, 1872, 204. Otus palustris, (Dauw.) De Kay, Zool. 



