LIST AND DESCRIPTION at 
According to the writers’ observation the “gray phase” predom- 
inates in South Dakota, while records from eastern Iowa seem 
to show the reverse. 
The Screech Owl may be found at home along wooded 
creeks in the most sparsely settled districts, or in resident por- 
tions of our larger towns and cities. In the latter case they no 
doubt help to keep down the increasing numbers of “pesky” 
English sparrows. Their food consists chiefly of mice. They 
should be encouraged to nest around buildings. Their weird, 
wailing notes, heard at dusk or in early morning, have caused 
some who are not acquainted with the call notes of these little 
fellows to suspect that a strange wild cat was prowling in the 
vicinity. 
373e. Rocky MounNTAIN SCREECH OwL (Otus asio maxwelliae.) 
Specimen taken in Fall River County, August 8, 1911, by 
Stephen S. Visher and determined by H. C. Oberholser of 
United States Biological Survey as this species. 
Resembles the common gray Screech Owl but paler; black 
markings not so prominent. 
375. Great Hornep Ow. (Bubo virginianus virginianus.) 
Common over the State and more or less resident. One 
of our largest Owls, measuring up to twenty-two inches in length, 
the female always larger. 
The Great Horned Owl is quite variable in color mark- 
ings. Above their base the feathers are tawny, sometimes tawny 
and gray, but more or less irregularly tipped with black and 
white. Below, usually lighter, mixed with tawny, and occa- 
sionally there are black spots on the breast and a white throat. 
Tail barred with black; long ear tufts. 
They nest in hollow trees or nests used by Crows the 
previous season. The eggs are laid as early as February or 
March. On April 1, 1919, two weeks old young were taken from 
an old Crow’s nest near the Vermillion River in Clay County. 
Great Horned Owls catch and eat a variety of animals 
ranging in size from small birds and mice to cottontail rabbits 
or full grown poultry. In some instances they have been known 
to kill more poultry than was necessary to satisfy their hunger. 
This is probably true only of certain individuals, and a good way 
