THE BIRDS OF WASHINGTON. 
No. 182. 
LONG-EARED OWL. 
A. O. U. No. 306. Asio wilsonianus (Less. ). 
Description.—4du/t: Above finely mottled white and dusky, with apparently 
half-concealed ochraceous on subterminal margins of feathers, the design broad- 
ened on wings,—ochraceous, white, and dusky in patches; the wing-quills and 
tail distinctly barred,—dusky with ochraceous basally, dusky with gray termin- 
ally; ear-tufts conspicuous, an inch or more in length, black centrally, with white 
and ochraceous edges; facial disk tawny, gray centrally, and blackish about eyes 
vn inner side, the edges finely mottled black and white; tibize, tarsi, and feet 
pale tawny, immaculate; remaining underparts white, ochraceous, and dusky, in 
bold, free pattern, and upper breast distinctly and heavily streaked, the sides and 
flanks distinctly barred, the belly exhibiting a combination of the two types; lining 
of wing pale tawny, unmarked basally, save for a dusky patch on tips of coverts, 
heavily barred distally; bill and toe-nails blackish. ‘The folded wings exceed the 
tail, and the bill is nearly concealed by black and white bristles. Length 13.00- 
16.00 (330.2-406.4) ; wing I11.25-12.00 (285.8-304.8) ; tail 5.75-6.25 (146.1-158.8) ; 
tarsus 1.50-1.80 (38.1-45.7) ; bill from nostril .63 (16). 
Recognition Marks.—L ttle Hawk to Crow size; a strongly marked and un- 
mistakable species; the “horns” taken in connection with its size are sufficient to 
identify it. 
Nesting.—Nest: usually a deserted nest of Crow, Magpie, Heron, etc.; 
sometimes in rock-rifts or even on the ground. Eggs: 3-6, subspherical, white 
(or not infrequently red-spotted with nest-marks). Av. size, 1.60 x 1.29 (40.6 x 
32.8). Season: c. May 1; one brood. 
General Range.—Temperate North America, south to the tablelands of 
Mexico. Breeds thruout its range. 
