64 EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



364. American Osprey, Pandion halimetus carolinensis. 

 Eggs, 2 to 4, rather spherical, varying from creamy to decidedly 

 pinkish, spotted, blotched, and sprinkled, often so thickly as to 

 cover the entire surface. In other specimens the markings, 

 which are reddish or purplish brown or umber, will be con- 

 fined to the larger end, while rarely one will occur which is 

 unmarked, and all gradations will occur between ; 1.60 -|- 2.30 

 to 1.90 -|- 2.56. Breeds throughout North America, in the 

 wilder sections, from Hudson's Bay and Alaska, southward to 

 Northern South America, in April and May. Nests placed in 

 trees, or occasionally on the ground. 



Family XXXV. — STRIGID^. Baen Owls. 



Eggs, always white, oval in form, usually placed in roughly 

 constructed nests, situated in caves, ruined buildings, holes in 

 cliffs, etc. 



365. American Barn Owl, Strix pratincola. (Type, 

 Plate VII.) Eggs, 3 to 8; 1.20 + 1.65 to 1.25 + 1.70. 

 Breeds throughout the wanner parts of North America, from 

 the Middle States and California south through Mexico, in 

 April and May. Nests sometimes placed in ruins, but oftener 

 in holes of trees, or in holes in cliffs or banks of earth. 



Family XXXVI. — BUBONIDtE. Horned Owls, Etc. 



Eggs, varying from spherical to oval, with the former-named 

 shape predominating; size alone distinguishes them, as they 

 are all white. Nests in a variety of situations. 



366. American Long-eared Owl, Asio wilsonianus. Eggs, 

 3 to 6, spherical or rounded oval; 1.30 + 1.35 to 1.50 + 1.65. 

 Breeds thi'oughout temperate North America ; in March in 

 the southern portion, and in April and May farther north, and 

 nests have been taken as late as July. Nests usually placed 

 in the deserted structures of other birds, but the owls occa- 

 sionally construct a nest of their own ; thus they usually breed 

 in trees. 



