OWLS 251 



salmon. It has been my experience however that the trout 

 and salmon are but seldom taken by the birds, probably because 

 they less often offer opportunity to be captured. 



Suborder STRIGES Owls. 



(The American Barn Owl recorded in Smith's list was not taken in Maine. There is no 

 probability of the species ever being taken here and the species is not entitled to be given in the 

 Hypothetical List even. I make mention of it here for the reason if I did not take cognizance 

 of it some busybody would be sure to rake up the old record on the assumption that it had been 

 overlooked). 



Family BUBONID^. Horned Owls, etc. 

 Key to the species of BUBONID^. 



A. Wing over 10.00. 



1. With prominent tufts of feathers like horns or ears on head. 

 §. Wing over 13.50. Great Horned Owl. 



§§. Wing under 13.50. 



?. Belly with cross bars, ears prominent. American Long-eared 



Owl. 

 ??. Belly without cross bars, ears short, hard to distinguish in 

 skins but easier to make out in birds in flesh. Short-eared 

 Owl. 



2. Without horn like tufts or ears on head, or no such ttifts evident. 

 §. Belly without cross bars, usually striped. 



?. Upper parts barred. Barred Owl. 

 ??. Upper parts striped, not barred. Short-eared Owl. 

 §§. Belly with cross bars, (very exceptionally not barred in an 

 immaculate individual of the Snowy Owl). 

 ?. Plumage white with bold black bars, or very exceptionally 

 indeed immaculate white. Snowy Owl. 

 ??. Plumage fuscous or grayish, finely mottled or barred with 

 whitish. Great Gray Owl. 



B. Wing under 10.00. 



1. Ear tufts or horns conspicuous ; toes sparsely or not feathered. 



Screech Owl. 



2. No ear tufts ; toes heavily feathered. 

 §. Wing under 6.00. Saw-whet Owl. 



§§. Wing over 6.00. 



?. Tail under 6.00. Richardson's Owl. 

 ??. Tail over 6.00. American Hawk Owl. 



