HORNED OWLS, ETC. 183 



acTOSs 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 iCass.). Texas Screech Owl. 



Dichroniatie ; <;iay or i-uf ous. Gray phase : smaller and darker than asio, 

 with more conspicnons dusky shaft streaks above and heavier shaft streaks 

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

 predominating- on lower parts. Youikj : whole plumage, except wing- 

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

 black streaks wholly wanting'. Length: (5..")0-9.00, wing- 0.60-0.30, tail 

 3.10-3.40. 



Distribution. — From western and sonthern Texas across eastern border 

 of tablelands of Mexico. 



JVest. — 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 l)oth 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 wings rich bnff ; lower parts heavily mottled, 

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

 mottled with buft'y. 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 {Bidqw.). Kockv Mountain Screech 

 Owl. 



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

 light ashy or huffy gray, with n;irro\v streaks and faint mottlings of black- 

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

 white, with narrow shaft stre.iks of l»lack, and fine cross-lines of brown. 



Distribution. — Foothills and adjacent plains of the eastern Kocky 

 Mountains from Colorado north to Montana. 



373f. M. a. cineraceus liidgir. Mkxkan Sckekch Owi.. 



Small and very gray; upper parts clear ashy gray, with numerous 

 blackish sluift streaks ; lower j)arts with narrow black shaft stn-aks and 

 fine vi'rmiculatioiis and cross-lines of black, without clear white inter- 

 spaces ; feet and h-gs fintdy ;ind thickly mottled with dusky; little trace 

 of brown anvwhere in plum.ige. Liu</th: 0. .")()-S. (Ml, wing t».lU-7.<H), tail 

 3.44. 



