ONTARIO 



in the ordinary sense of the word, I think it is liighly probable 

 that during the fall these birds associate in groups, and move 

 from one section of the country to another in search of food. 

 In this way a good many may be observed at one point, while 

 for many miles around they may be altogether absent. 



The "Saw-whet" is evidently partial to a medium 

 temperature, as it is most common in the northern states, 

 and does not penetrate far into British America. In the 

 opposite direction, it has been found breeding as far south as 

 Mexico, but mostly in the wooded mountain ranges. In 

 Southern Ontario, these birds are most at home in the thick 

 shelter of the evergreens in the depths of the woods, but when 

 deep snow covers the ground they are often found in the barn, 

 or other outhouse near the farmer's dwelling, where they are 

 forced to seek for food and shelter when their supply outside 

 is cut off. 



Genus MEGASCOPS Kaup. 



154. MEGASCOPS ASIO (Linn.). a73. 



Screech Ow^l. 



One plumage ; general aspect gray, paler or whitish below. Above, 

 speckled with blackish, below patched with the same ; wings and tail dark- 

 barred ; usually a lightish scapular area. 



Another : general aspect brownish-red, with sharp black streaks ; 

 below rufous-white, variegated ; quills and tail with rufous and dark bars. 

 These plumages shade insensibly into each other, and it has been determined 

 that they bear no definite relations to age, sex or season. Length, about lo ; 

 wing, 7 ; tail, 3^. 



Hab. Temperate Eastern North America, south to Georgia, and west 

 to the Plains. Accidental in England. 



Nest, in a hole in a tree ; lined with feathers. 



This is the most abundant of the Owls in this part of the 

 country, yet, like the others, it is of ver}'^ irregular occurrence. 

 I have met with it once or twice in the woods in summer, but 

 it is most frequently seen in winter, when the ground is covered 

 with snow. It is then forced to approach the dwellings of man 

 in search of food, and during some winters there is scarcely a 

 farm in the country which has not its Screech Owl in the barn. 



157 



