246 OTUS WILSONIANUS — THE LONG EARET) OWL. 



Otus Wilsonianus, Lesson. — The Long Eared Owl. 



Wilson's Amer. Orn., VI., pi. 51, fig. 1 ; Audubon's B. of 

 Am., Oct. ed., I., pi. 37. 



This species, though nearly related to the preceding, dif- 

 fers considerably in habits. While the former prefers the 

 open ground, in or near swamps or rivers, this is an inhab- 

 itant of the woods, from which it seldom ventures far. It is 

 extremely abundant in the Eastern States, on the seaboard, 

 but is much scarcer west of the Alleghanies. In Ohio it 

 occasionally occurs, and is, in all likelihood a constant resi- 

 dent with us, and specimens are sometimes obtained, but 

 it is, however, more plentiful than formerly. 



According to various authors, its food consists of mice, 

 rats and small birds, and in summer it is said to destroy 

 great numbers of large beetles. Wilson says it generally 

 selects the deserted nest of some other bird, in which to 

 deposit its eggs — usually three or four in number — which 

 are white and roundish, and about one and a half inches in 

 length. 



For a long time this species was considered identical with 

 the OtuN vulgaris of Europe, and it is thus named in Audu- 

 bon's work, but is larger and of a darker color. The ear 

 tufts are long and very conspicuous, diifering widely in this 

 respect from the hrachyotus. The wings are long, and the 

 legs and feet densely feathered. 



The plumage of the adult is mottled, in the upper parts, 

 with dark brown, fulvous and ashy white, with the dark hue 

 preponderating; throat white. The breast is pale yellowish 

 white, with each feather marked with a wide dark brown 

 stripe. The abdomen is white, with like markings, and 

 transverse stripes of dark brown. The legs and I'eet are of 

 the same color as the breast, but usually with spots. The 

 facial disc, in front of the eye, is ashy white, with small 



