BIRDS OF KANSAS. 



303 



black shaft lines on the feathers ( these most conspicuous on the head above and 

 scapulars, and narrower and more sharply defined than in the gray plumage.) 

 The inner webs of the ear tufts, outer webs of scapulars aiid lower secondary 

 and middle wing coverts are white, as in the gray plumage; those of the scapu- 

 lars are also bordered with black. The secondaries, primaries and tail are less 

 bright rufous than other portions, the markings as in the grav plumage, only the 

 tints being different. The upper eyelid, and in fact all round the eye. fine light 

 rufous; cheeks and ear coverts paler, scarcely variegated; black facial circle 

 rather narrower than in the gray plumage. Lower parts without the transverse 

 bars of the gray plumage, but in their place an irregular clouding of fine light 

 red, like the back; the lower parts medially (very broadly) immaculate snowy 

 white; most of the feathers having the red spotting show black shaft stripes, 

 but the pectoral spots are not near so large or conspicuous as in the gray bird! 

 Tibia fiue pale ochraceous rufous; tarsi the same posteriorly, in front white 

 with cuneate specks of rufous; lower tail coverts each with a medial transversely 

 cordate spot of dilute rufous, the shaft black. Lining of the wing with numer- 

 ous rufous spots." 



stretch of 

 Length. zving. IVtng. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. Cere 



Male 9.00 21.00 6.20 8.2.5 • 1.20 .50 3o' 



Female... 9.50 22..50 6.55 3.50 1.30 .60 .30 



Iris yellow; bill, cere and claws light greenish horn color. 



This is one of our most abundant and well-known night Owls. 

 It inhabits alike the woods and the habitations of man. Its 

 food consists of mice, small birds, insects, etc.; in searching 

 for the same, it flies noiselessly but actively about, occasionally 

 capturing its prey upon the wing, but usually pouncing upon it. 

 These birds are rather easily tamed. 



When a small boy, in my old New England home, I reared 

 one from the nest, that was quite attractive, and, as I was the 

 only one that fed or cared for it, it became strongly attached to 

 me, and, no matter how roughly handled, never showed the least 

 bit of anger; but, upon the approach of a stranger, it would 

 erect its feathers and sharply snap its bill. At the sight of the 

 house cat it was wild with fear and rage, and could not be paci- 

 fied until Thomas was removed. I gave it the liberty of the 

 dark garret beneath the roof of our house, and in the center of 

 the room placed corn, bread and toasted cheese to attract the 

 mice, and, from the ejected pellets of mouse hair, I know that it 

 captured many mice. At night or in a dark place, it would 

 come to me at call, and alight on my arm or hand, take and 

 readily eat insects and small bits of food, but, if the piece was 



