Birds of Oregon and Washington 195 



He lives and nests in the marshes, and can be 

 seen at nightfall, flying ov^er the marsh, looking 

 for meadow mice, which are shown from scien- 

 tific investigation to make up the bulk of his 

 food. 



There are reports of this bird's habits in these 

 States while rearing its young, that indicate a 

 diet of small birds. It would be well to thor- 

 oughly test the matter on this coast before ac- 

 cepting this statement as a general fact. Dr. 

 Fisher found, on examination of lOi stomachs of 

 this species of owl, that no less than seventy- 

 seven contained the remains of mice. 



The bird nests upon the ground. 



Particular Description. — As in General Descrip- 

 tion. Ear tufts, hardly seen ; throat, white ; breast im- 

 mediately below chin, quite thickly streaked with dark 

 brown, with streaks growing fewer and larger below, ap- 

 proaching the feet. Eyes, yellow. 



Nocturnal habits. 



THE SCREECH OWL. 



Permanent resident. 



The name hardly indicates the character of 

 the vocal expression of this bird, which, in 



