SCOPS ASIO — THE SCREECH OWL. 249 



was shot at Hinckley, Medina county. There are also speci- 

 mens in the Museum of the Cleveland Academy of Natural 

 Science. 



Genus Scops, Savigny. 



Species of small size, with large heads and prominent 

 ear tufts ; facial disc imperfect above the eyes ; wings long ; 

 tail short, often with a slight inward curve; tarsi and toes 

 long, and more or less covered with feathers; claws long, 

 curved and strong. The general form is short and very 

 compact. 



Scops Asio, Linn. — The Schreech Owl. 



Wilson's Amer. Orn., pi. 19, fig. 1, and pi. 42, fig. 1; Audu- 

 bon's B. of Am., Oct. ed., I., pi. 40. 



An abundant and well known species in Ohio, and one 

 that is often quite familiar in its habits, approaching the 

 house and barns often in pursuit of insects. The orchard 

 is also a favorite place of resort. Occasionally it enters 

 the cities and heljos to rid them of small vermin. We were 

 much interested, two years ago, (in 1857,) by a family of 

 these birds that established itself for several weeks in our 

 garden. Finding that the family did not molest them, they 

 would sit on the fruit trees until we were within a few feet 

 of them, and would turn their droll little heads around 

 while looking at us. The garden was full of mice at the 

 time, and the owls, doubtless, came there to feed upon 

 them. 



F2 



