HORNED OWLS, ETC. 183 



across the meadows, or encircling the stacks of grain in search of 

 mice and insects. Thousands upon thousands of mice of different 

 kinds thus fall victims to their industry. Their economic relations, 

 therefore, are of the greatest importance, particularly on account of 

 the abundance of the species in many farming districts ; and who- 

 ever destroys them through ignorance or prejudice should be se- 

 verely condemned." (Fisher.) 



373b. M. a. mccalli (Cass.). Texas Screech Owl. 



Dichromatic ; gray or rufous. Gray phase : smaller and darker than asio, 

 with more conspicuous dusky shaft streaks above and heavier shaft streaks 

 and cross-lines of black below. Rufous phase : much as in asio, the rufous 

 predominating' on lower parts. Young : whole plumag-e, except wing- 

 quills and tail feathers, barred or banded with grayish or whitish ; the 

 black streaks wholly wanting. Length: 6.50-9.00, wing- 5.00-6.80, tail 

 3.10-:].40. 



Distribution. — From western and southern Texas across eastern border 

 of tablelands of Mexico. 



Nest. — In cavities of trees. Eggs : 2 to 5. 



373c. M. a. bendirei (Brewst.). California Screech Owl. 



Not dichromatic ; gray only. Slightly larg-er than asio, with heavier, 

 more marked shaft streaks of black both above and below, and less con- 

 spicuous cross-lining below. Smaller and lighter than kennicottii to the 

 north. 



Distribution. — California. 



Nest. — Usually in oaks or cottonwoods. 



373d. M. a. kennicottii {Elliot). Kennicott Screech Owl. 



Conspicuously larger and darker colored than asio or bendirei ; upper 

 parts dark sooty brown, mottled and streaked with black ; scapular 

 streaks and spots on edge of Avings rich buff ; lower parts heavily mottled, 

 lined, and cross-lined with black ; legs and feet rich butfy brown, finely 

 mottled with buffy. Specimens from the southern and eastern part of the 

 range lighter and grayer. 



Distribution. — Northwest coast region from Oregon to Sitka. 



373e. M. a. maxwellise (Bidgw.). Rocky Mountain Screech 

 Owl. 



Large and very pale ; white predominating on lower parts ; upper parts 

 light ashy or buffy gray, with narrow streaks and faint mottlings of black- 

 ish ; white streaks on scapulars and on edge of wings, large ; lower parts 

 white, with naiTow shaft streaks of black, and fine cross-lines of brown. 



Distribution. — Foothills and adjacent plains of the eastern Rocky 

 Mountains from Colorado north to Montana. 



373f. M. a. cineraceus Eidgw. Mkxkan Screech Owl. 



Small .'iiul very gray ; upper parts clear ashy gray, with numerous 

 blackish shaft streaks ; lower parts with narrow black shaft .streaks and 

 fine vermiculations and cross-lines of black, without clear white inter- 

 spaces ; feet and legs finely and thickly mottled with dusky : little trace 

 of brown anywhere in plumage. Len^jlh: (i..")()-S.()(). wing <"i. I(t-T.<)0, tail 

 3.44. 



