NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 93 



firmer manner. The eggs are smaller, less elliptical and of a darker green. 



Hab. North America to the Rocky Mountains. North to Labrador, more northerly than C. americantts, 

 being the commoner species in New England. 



392. Carolina Parakeet — conurus' carolinensis. It is said the eggs 

 of this species are greenish-white and about the size of those of the com- 

 mon Turtle Dove; elliptical in shape, rough in texture, size 1.40 by 1.05. 

 Breeds in companies in hollow trees. 



Hab. Southern States; up the Mississippi Valley to the Missouri region; west to Arkansas and Indian 

 Territory; recently Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, etc.; formerly strayed to Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, 

 but of late has receded even from the Carolinas. Still abundant in Florida. 



394. American Barn Owl — aluco flammeus americanus. Colorless 

 or yellowish-white; nearly equal-ended ; average size 1.78 by 1.25. The 

 number laid usually varies from three to six; sets of nine, ten and eleven 

 are frequently taken. P. E. Kent, of Povvay, Cal., in the "Ornitholo- 

 gist and Oologist, " June, 1885, records a set of eleven, in all stages of in- 

 cubation, taken from the hollow limb of a sycamore, twenty-five feet from 

 the ground. A. L. Parkhurst, of San Jose, Cal, in the February issue of 

 the same Magazine, mentions these Owls digging burrows in the banks 

 of streams, and that they extended in so far that the eggs could not be 

 obtained. The bird, however, breeds naturally in hollow trees, frequently 

 in barns, or deserted buildings. A scanty supply of sticks, straw or bones 

 and other refuse of the food make up the material of the nest. This bird 

 is a constant resident throughout the southern portions of North America, 

 especially along the sea coast; from the Middle States southward and along 

 the southern coast of California. 



Hab. North America and Me.xico; not beyond the United States; rarely north to New England. 



395. American Long eared Owl — asio americanus. White, elliptical; 

 four to seven in number, and have an average size of 1.60 by 1.32. Three 

 eggs measure as follows: 1.65 by 1.27, 1.59 by 1.33, 1.75 by 1.28. This 

 Owl is a common resident, generally distributed throughout North 

 America at large. Forests of evergreens are favorite resorts of this spe- 

 cies for breeding purposes. The nest is constructed with very little art. 

 composed of a few sticks with a more or less complete lining of feathers. 

 Various nesting places are selected; a hollow tree or stump, rift of rock 

 and an old crow's or hawk's nest is often occupied. In some localities 

 they nest on the ground or on low bushes, and the same nest is occupied 



for several years. Hab. North America. 



396. Short-eared Owl — asio accipitrinus. White, elliptical; four to 

 six in number and average about i .55 by 1.25. The Marsh Owl is some- 

 thing of a ground bird, and is oftener found in low thickets than in high 



