BIRDS OF XAWSAS. 301 



sides of the chin white; throat and whole breast like the back, but the latter 

 paler medially, becoming here more fulvous; rest of lower parts plain fulvous 

 ochraceous, growing gradually paler posteriorly — immaculate; lining of the wing 

 dull white; under surface of primaries with dusky prevailing, but this crossed 

 by bands of large whitish spots; the three outer feathers, however, present a 

 nearly uniform dusky aspect, being varied only basally." 



Iris yellow; bill and claws black; bottoms of feet yellowish 

 flesh color. 



The natural home of this sprightly little Owl is within the 

 wild woodlands, though occasionally found about the habita- 

 tions of man. It is very shy and retiring in its habits, rarely 

 leaving its secluded retreats until late at eve, and for these 

 reasons is without doubt much more common throughout its 

 range than is generally supposed. Its food consists chiefly of 

 mice and insects, also small birds, but the latter are not so 

 easily caught. In searching for food it glides smoothly and 

 noiselessly through the air, 



I enter this bird as a winter sojourner in Kansas because (to 

 my knowledge) they have only been seen or taken in the fall 

 and winter, and I have never heard their shrill love call in the 

 State.* Notwithstanding this, and the further fact that they 

 have only been found breeding northward, I am inclined to 

 think that they do occasionally breed throughout their range. 



The birds nest in old, deserted Woodpecker's holes and 

 small hollows in trees. Their eggs are laid on the rotten 

 wood or decayed material at the bottom; usually four in num- 

 ber, 1.20x1.00; white; in form, nearly spherical. 



Genus MEGASCOPS Kaup. 

 " Size small; the head provided with ear tufts. Bill light colored; fris yellow. 

 Three to four outer quills with inner webs sinuated. Wings long (more than 

 twice the length of the tail, which is short and slightly rounded); second to 

 fifth quills longest. Toes naked, or only scantily feathered. Ear conch small 

 and simple; plumage exceedingly variegated; the colors different shades of 

 brown, with rufous, black and white in fine mottlings and pencilings; feathers 



*A noise somewhat resembling the filing of a mill saw, which accounts for the name 

 they bear. 



