90 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 
to Dakota, etc.” Mr. Rudolph M. Anderson in “The Birds of 
Iowa” reports it as “a casual straggler in winter.” 
It is the largest of North American Owls, measuring two 
feet or more in length. Upper parts dark brown mixed with gray- 
ish white. Under parts the same in color, with irregular bars but 
paler. Prominent facial disk with small eyes. No ear tufts; 
legs and feet feathered. It inhabits wooded regions. 
371. RicHarpson’s Ow. (Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni.) 
A rare winter resident in our State. Length ten inches; 
no ear tufts; above, brown with white spots; below, white 
streaked with brown; feet feathered to the toes. Nests north of 
the United States in hollow trees. 
372. Saw-wHeT Ow. (Cryptoglaux acadica acadica.) 
The smallest of our Owls, averaging only about eight 
inches in length. Back, wings and tail uniform dull brown 
spotted with white; crown streaked with white; under parts 
white and brown; facial disk nearly white; toes feathered. 
This Owl inhabits wooded districts-and nests in hollow 
trees or old Woodpecker holes. Owing to its habit of retiring 
into dark woods it probably is not often observed. In some in- 
stances it may be taken for the Screech Owl. 
373. ScrREECH Ow’ (Otus asio asio.) 
Screech Owls are common over the state and are perman- 
ent residents, spending their lives in the vicinity where they are 
raised. | They are larger than the Saw-whet Owl, measuring 
nine to ten inches in length. Unlike other species of Owls in 
our State, the Screech Owl has two color phases, gray and red. 
We quote Mr. Frank M. Chapman’s description: “With ear 
tufts; eyes yellow. Adults, gray phase: above, buffy gray ir- 
regularly marked with black; below, gray, white, rusty and 
black. Adults, red phase: above, bright rusty brown with a few 
black streaks ; below, white streaked with black and barred with 
rusty brown. Young: above, gray or rusty barred with black 
and white; below, white thickly barred with blackish.” The 
two-color phases may develop in individuals of the same nest. 
Some writers contend that the same individuals may pass from 
one phase to the other independently of sex, season or locality. 
