LAND BIRDS. 323 



expelled. The eggs are laid, in this latitude, from the middle of April 

 to the middle of May, and they are commonly placed on the rubbish at the 

 bottom of the cavity without any attempt at a nest. The birds are likely 

 to use the same nesting place year after year, but apparently only a single 

 brood is reared in a season. The eggs are pure white, unspotted, and average 

 1.42 by 1.19 inches. 



The food of the Screech Owl is quite varied, but although small mammals, 

 and especially mice, form a large and constant factor in its diet, it also 

 catches a few birds (notably English Sparrows), and is very fond of insects 

 and of crayfish. Probably its continued and increasing abundance in our 

 larger towns and cities is due to the abundance of Enghsh Sparrows, on 

 which it largely subsists during winter. Out of 212 stomachs reported 



Fig. 81. Screech Owls. Young. 

 From photograph by C. AVm. Beebe. Courtesy of Bird Lore. 



upon Ijy Dr. A. K. Fisher, 1 contained poultry; 38, other birds; 91, mice; 

 11, other mammals; 2, lizards; 4, frogs or toads; 1, fi.sh; 100, insects; 5, 

 spiders; 2, scorpions; 9, crayfish; 2, earthworms; 7, miscellaneous. Among 

 the birds found in the stomachs there were remains of 21 sparrows, more 

 than half of which were English Sparrows. The fondness of this owl for 

 mice is well known, and it is probable that the farmer has no more valuable 

 ally in his war against these pests than the common Screech Owl. Doubt- 

 less this little owl, which is notoriously courageous or even savage, does 

 occasionally pick up a small chicken, but its opportunities for such harm 

 must be very limited and the damage so done is infinitesimal. 



The remarkable differences in color which occur in this species, known 

 as "dichromatic phases," seem to be entirely independent of age, sex or 

 locality, and as yet no thoroughly satisfactory explanation has been given 

 of the fact that among young of the same parents some may develop the 



