218 OWLS. 



feathered, buffy white, unbarred; eyes yellow. Im. — Upper parts as in the 

 ad., but head and back with little or no white ; breast like the back ; belly 

 ochraceous-buil". L., 8-00 ; W., 6-40 ; T., 2-80 ; B., -60. 



Bemarl's. — Its small size and absence of ears at once distinguish this 

 species from any Owl of eastern North America except N. t. ric/iardso7ii^ from 

 which it may be known by its lighter color, streaked instead of spotted head, 

 and unbarred legs and feet. 



liaiKje. — North America; breeds from northern New York northward, and 

 migrates southward in winter as far as Virginia. 



Washino-ton, rare W. V., Oct. to Mch. Sing Sing, rather rare W. V., Oct. 

 28 to Jan. 13. Cambridge, not uncommon W. V., Nov. to Mch. 



Nest^ in a hole in a tree ; frequently a Woodpecker's, sometimes a Squir- 

 rel's deserted nest. E<jfjs^ three to live, 1"19 x 1-00. 



" The species is not migratory, but is more or less of an irregular 

 wanderer in its search for food during the fall and winter. It may 

 be quite common in a locality and then not be seen again for several 

 years. It is nocturnal, seldom moving about in the daytime, but pass- 

 ing the time in sleeping in some dark retreat. So soundly does it sleep 

 that oftentimes it may be captured alive. . . . 



" During the day it frequents the thick evergreen woods, though 

 sometimes it is found in comparatively open groves, but always in 

 dense trees. . . . 



" The note of this species is peculiar and has a rasping character, 

 resembling the sound made when a large-toothed saw is being filed ; 

 hence the name. It is more often heard during March and early April, 

 though occasionally it is heard at other times of the year. 



" The flight resembles that of the Woodcock very closely — so much 

 so, in fact, that the writer once killed a specimen as it was flying over 

 the alders, and not until the dog pointed the dead bird was he aware 

 of his mistake. . . . 



"Of 23 stomachs examined, 17 contained mice; 1, a bird; 1, an 

 insect ; and 3 were empty " (Fisher). 



"^ ^P 373. Megascops asio (Zi«?i.). Screech Owl. Ad., rufous phase. — 

 Size small ; ear-tufts conspicuous, about an inch in length ; upper parts bright 

 rufous, finely streaked with black ; under parts white, the feathers centrally 

 streaked with black and irregularly barred with rufous ; toes rather scantily 

 feathered ; eyes yellow. Gray j^Jiase. — Upper parts generally brownish gray, 

 streaked with black and finely mottled with ochraceous-buff"; under parts 

 white, finely streaked and more finely and irregularly barred with black, 

 more or less bordered by rufous. Young. — Entire plumage regularly barred 

 with grayish or rufous and white. L., 9-40: W., 6-40 ; T., 3-09 ; B., -63. 



Kemarhs. — This bird may be known by its small size and ear-tufts. Its 

 color phases are not dependent upon agre, sex. or season, and both phases are 

 sometimes represented in the same brood. Between the two there is a com- 

 plete intergradation. 



