STRIGID.E — THE OWLS — BRACIIYOTUS. 



429 



coverts nearly -n-liite. Throat white; eyes enclosed by large brownish-black spots; ear- 

 tufts brown, edged with fulvous. Iris, cere, and toes yellow ; bill and claws horn-color. 

 Length, 14 to 15 ; wing, 11 to 12; tail, 5 J to 6. 



Hab. All of temperate North America and South America ; Greenland ; Cuba. 



Tliis is a more northern species than the Otiis, visiting the United States 

 only in winter, and then aiipearing in considerable numbers or Hocks. They 

 generally sit in long grass or bushes during the day, little disturbed by the 

 sunlight, and on cloudy days even hunt over the prairies, on which they 

 usually obtain their prey. I have not seen them south of Santa Clara 

 Valley ; but east of the Sierra they have been seen along the Mojave Eiver 

 by Dr. Heermann. 



Audubon found a nest of tliis species in the jiine forest on the moun- 

 tains of Pennsylvania. It was built on the ground under a bush, hidden 

 among long grass, of which it was roughly formed. This nest was Hat, and 

 much spread out, and contained, on the 17th of June, four bluiah-white 

 eggs, 1.50 X 1.12. 



Sub-Family SYRNIIN.E. 



Char. Head large, with concealed ear-tufts or none. Facial disk nearly 

 perfect ; eyes small for owLs ; wings rather short ; tarsi and toes generally 

 fully feathered. Size moderate or small. Concha of ear semicircular, 

 operculate. 



S. nef)itlo$um. 



Tliis sub-family embraces species differing greatly in size. Some are 

 among the largest, and otliers among tlie smallest of the owls, and they 

 inhabit extremes of latitude. The plumage is generally very lax and soft. 



