THE BIRDS OF WASHINGTON. 



No. 182. 



LONG-EARED OWL. 



A. (J. I'. Xo. 366. Asio \>ilsonianiis (Less.). 



Description. — Adult : Above finely m<:ittled white and duskv, with apparently 

 lialf-concealed ochraceoiis on subterminal margins of feathers, the design broad- 

 ened on wings, — ochraceons, white, and dusky in patches : the wing-quills and 

 tail distinctly barred, — tlusky with ochraceous basally, dusky with gray termin- 

 ally: ear-tufts conspicuous, an inch or more in length, black centrally, with white 

 and ochraceous edges : facial disk tawny, gray centrally, and blackish about eyes 

 on inner side, the edges finely mottled black and white ; tibia?, tarsi, and feet 

 pale tawny, immaculate : remaining underparts white, ochraceous, and dusky, in 

 bold, free pattern, and upper breast distinctly and heavily streaked, the sides and 

 flanks distinctly barred, the belly exhibiting a combination of the two types; lining 

 of wing pale tawny, unmarked basally, save for a dusky patch on tips of coverts, 

 heavily barred distally ; bill and toe-nails blackish. The folded wings exceed the 

 tail, and the bill is nearly concealed by black and white bristles. Length 13.00- 

 16.00 (330.2-406.4) : wing 11.25-12.00 (285.8-304.8) ; tail 5.73-6.25 ( 146.1-158.8) ; 

 tarsus 1. 50-1. 80 (38.1-45.7) : bill from nostril .63 C16). 



Recognition Marks. — Little Hawk to Crow size : a strongly marked and un- 

 mistakaljle sjiecies; the "horns" taken in connection with its size are sufficient to 

 identify it. 



Nesting. — Nest: usually a deserted nest of Crow, Magpie, Heron, etc. ; 

 sometimes in rock-rifts or even on the ground. Eggs: 3-6, snbspherical, white 

 (or not infrequently red-spotted with nest-marks). Av. size, i.6ox 1.29 ("40.6 x 

 32.8). Season: c. ]\L-iy i : one brood. 



General Range. — Temperate North America, south to the tablelands of 

 Mexico. Breeds thruout its range. 



