186 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. 



Fig. 249. Western Hornetl Owl. 



ill December and January, and in Alaska 

 April when it was so cold that they froze 

 nest. 



of great damage. Now, 

 the serious inroads it 

 makes on the tenants 

 of the poultry yard, as 

 well as the destruction 

 of many game and song 

 birds, would seem to 

 call for the total sup- 

 pression of the species. 

 Again, Avhen engaged 

 chieflj^ in the capture of 

 injurious rodents, which 

 threaten the very exist- 

 ence of the crops, it is 

 the farmer's most valu- 

 able ally, and conse- 

 quently should be most 

 carefully protected," 



The horned owl is one 

 of the earliest breeders 

 of the birds of prey. 

 In the southern part of 

 its range, eggs are laid 

 they have been found in 

 on being taken from the 



375b. B. V. arctieus (Swains.). Arctic Horned Owl. 



Similar to the western horned owl, but ground color white and dark 

 marking's usually much restricted ; imder parts pure white, or only slightly 

 barred. 



Distribution. — Arctic America, south in winter to Nebraska, and from 

 Dakota to Idaho. 



Nest. — In trees, often a deserted hawk's or crow's nest. Eggs : 2 or o. 

 white. 



Food. — Larg-ely waterfowl, ptarmig'an, and arctic hares. 



375c. B. V. saturatus Bidgiv. Dusky Horned Owl. 



Like B. V. pallescens, but plumag'e extremely dark, face g-enerally sooty 

 brownish mixed with grayish white ; plumage usually without excess of 

 yellowish brown, sometimes with none. 



Distribution. — West coast region from Monterey County, California, to 

 Alaska, and eastward to northern Rocky Mountains. 



Nest. — As described by Kennicott, in the top of a spruce, made of dry 

 branches, lined with feathers. Eggs : probably 2 to 4, white. 



375d. B. V. pacifieus Cassin. Pacific Horned Owl. 



Small, strongly mottled, upper parts grayish, with more or less buffy 

 admixture ; dark markings of under parts distinct ; tarsus strongly mottled. 

 Wing: 13. 



