186 



HORNED OWLS, ETC. 



r. '2-49. Westei 



d Owl. 



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, when engaged 

 chiefly 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 prej-. 

 In the southern part of 

 its range, eggs are laid 

 in December and Januar3^ and in Alaska they have been found in 

 April when it was so cold that they froze on being taken from the 

 nest. 



375b. B. V. arcticus (Stvains.). Arctic Horned Owl. 



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

 markings usually much restricted ; under parts pure wliite, 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. — Largely waterfowl, ptarmigan, and arctic hares. 



375o. B. V. saturatus Ridgw. Dusky Horned Owl. 



Like B. v. pallescens, but plumage extremely dark, face generally sooty 

 brownish mixed with grayish white ; plumage iisually 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. Fggs : probably 2 to 4, white. 



375d. B. V. pacificus 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: V\. 



