CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 581 



striped with reddish brown ; feet whitish buff. Length, 8 

 inches; tail, 2f inches. 



" This is now a rare species of owl. It is generally found in 

 cedar trees, and flies very readily when disturbed. It feeds 

 exclusively upon insects, and is a strictly inoffensive species ; but, 

 being an owl, a disgraceful prejudice on the part of most people 

 prompts to its destruction." 



MEGASCOPS. Kaup. 

 M. asio, L. Screech Owl. Little Red Owl. Gray Owl. 



Speckled and barred ; the ground color gray or bright red, 

 the two colors bearing no relation to age, sex or season. Length, 

 10 inches ; tail, 3J inches. 



" This is the best known of all the owls, and has several 

 names besides the one above, as 'little red owl,' 'gray owl,' 

 &c. The two conditions of plumage, red and gray, give rise 

 generally to the belief that they are two distinct species. This, 

 however, is erroneous. The screech owl is more frequently 

 found in orchards than elsewhere, but is everywhere abundant. 

 The nest is always in a hollow tree. They fly about during the 

 day very frequently. The food is mice and insects. They are 

 entirely inoffensive." 



BUBO, Dum. 

 B. virginianus, Gmel. Great Horned Owl. 



Bill blackish ; conspicuous ear tufts, of blackish feathers ; iris 

 yellow ; plumage dark colored, black, gray and buffy ; no 

 stripes ; lower parts barred ; above variegated ; usually a whitish 

 half collar. Length, 22 inches; tail, 10 inches. 



" In the northern and southern sections of the State this owl 

 is not uncommon. In the central counties it appears only as 

 ' stragglers.' They haunt secluded swamps, near water-courses, 

 and not unfrequently visit poultry-yards, coming a great dis- 

 tance." 



NYCTEA, Steph. 



N. nyctea, L. [scandiaca, nivea, &c.) Snow^y Owl. 



Iris yellow ; bill black ; toes concealed by long feathers ; 

 facial disk incomplete ; plumage pure white, with blackish bars. 



