218 - OWLS. 



feathered, buffy white, unbarred; eyes yellow. //7^.— Upper parts as in the 

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

 ochraceous-buti'. L., 8-00; W., 5-40; T., 2-80; B., -60. 



Bemarlcs. — Its small size and absence of ears at once distinguish this 

 species from any Owl of eastern North Amei-ica except N. t. richardsoni^ from 

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

 and unbarred legs and feet. 



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

 migrates southward in winter as far as Virginia. 



Washiuirton, rare "W, V., Oct. to Mch. Sing Sing, rather rare W. V., Oct. 

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



Neat., in a hole in a tree ; frequently a Woodpecker's, sometimes a Squir- 

 rePs deserted nest. Eggs., 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 22 stomachs examined. 17 contained mice; 1, a bird; 1, an 

 insect ; and 3 were empty " (Fisher). 



373. Megascops asio (Z /«».). Screech Owl. Ad.^mfovs phase. — 

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

 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 phase. — 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. Younri. — Entire plumage regularly barred 

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



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

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

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

 plete intergradation. 



