472 THE KENNICOTT SCREECH OWL. 



white. Between these two phases there exists every gradation (the former, 

 however, is much more common). They occur quite independently of age, sex, 

 or season, both phases being sometimes represented in the same brood. Young: 

 Hcavilv barred with (hiskv gray or dark brown and bufty white; no longituchnal 

 markings. Length about ii.oo (27<).4); wing about 7.00 (177.8); tail 4.00 

 (101.6). 



Recognition Marks. — Robin size but appearing larger; feather-tufts with 

 size distinctive in range: darker than O. a. iiiacfarlaiici. 



Nesting. — Nest: an unlined cavity of tree or stump, often an old woodpecker 

 hole. Bgfjs: 2-4, white, faintly glossed. Av. size, 1.62x1.33 (41.2x33.8). 

 Season: c. April 15; one brood. 



General Range. — Northwest coast region from Oregon to Sitka. 



Range in Washington. — Common resident west of the Cascades. 



Authorities. — Scd/^s iisii\ Linn. Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 1858, p. 

 52. (T). C&S. Rh. Kb. Ra. Kk. B. E. 



Specimens. — U. of ^\^ Prov. B. E. 



TO ONE whose early studies lia\e been conducted in the forests and 

 deciduous groves of the East it is a disappointment to learn that the birds of 

 Washington will not respond to the Screech Owl cry. Why, go out in any 

 grove from Iowa to Massachusetts, at any time of _\-ear, at any hour of day- 

 light, save tlie siesta inter\'al from 10 a. m. to 2 ]). m., secrete \'Ourself in a 

 thicket and simulate the mournful, rolling call of the little Screech Owl, and 

 you will at once be conscious of an apprehensive hush in the neighboring trees 

 and l)ushes. Then follows a nnirmur of inr|uir\-; Chick.'idees, Titmice, Nut- 

 hatches, Warblers, Vireos, and Jays set out to discover the whereabouts of 

 this arch-enemy who has been indiscreet enough to proclaim his presence dur- 

 ing the hours of his helplessness. If a veritable Owl is found, as not infre- 

 quently happens, e\er\- bii'd's l:)ill is against him. and lliere is none so poor to 

 do him re\-erence — by daylight. This is not alone because he appears stupid 

 and sleepy, or because he regards his tormentors with the fixed gravitv of a 

 roiuid-cyed gaze, varied only by "that forlorn, almost desjiairing wink" ])ecu- 

 liar to it, but Iiecause they ha\c an ancient and well-grounded grudge against 

 this bird of silent wing and cruel claw. All but tlie Blue Jav fCvaiwcitta 

 cristataj — he is a \illain himself, and lie leads the persecution of Owls fmm a 

 sheer love of mischief. Whenever a Blue Jay's voice is lifted high, and there 

 is an undercurrent of bird-babble beneath it, it is time for the bird-man to 

 sli]i rapidly forward from tree to tree and investigate. 



But there is none of that here. You whistle until von are dr\', and the 

 Chickadees, if the\- regard the matter at all, infer that \ou are from Steila- 



