ANNOTATED LIST OF THE BIRDS 207 



the bird further southward in numbers. On such occasions more 

 are recorded in November, December, and March. 



ENGLEWOOD REGION. Uncommon winter visitant, 



November 23, 1914 (Bowdish) to April 16, 1922 (Griscom 



and J. M. Johnson). 



SCREECH OWL (Otus asio) 



The Screech Owl is a common permanent resident in all 

 but the wildest sections of our area and the sea beaches, and 

 in fact appears to prefer the vicinity of man, for whose 

 presence and activities it has profound indifference. It can 

 still be found in Central Park and the Bronx. Its quavering 

 tremulo is particularly associated with August, and is often 

 the only indication of its presence. To see this Owl is more 

 difficult, and few people have the necessary patience or en- 

 thuasism to be constantly investigating likely holes in trees, 

 when success usually means a bite or a scratching. In May, 

 when the young are partly grown, there is often no room in 

 the family apartment for the father Owl, who is then forced 

 to roost in a nearby tree, where a sharp eye will sometimes 

 detect him, especially as he will often be the center of an 

 abusive circle of small birds, to which he pays not the slightest 

 attention. In July the young Owls will emerge at dusk some 

 evening and sit in a solemn fuzzy row on a tree-limb. 

 Your presence is sharply resented, and one or both of the 

 parents will fly around your head with a loud snapping of the 

 bill, [it seems useless to cite its status in greater detail. 



GEE AT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus] 

 Our largest Owl prefers deep swamps or big areas of 

 unlumbered woodland, and as a result is no longer common in 

 our area. Fierce, wild and untamable, it cannot or will not 

 tolerate civilization, and retreats before it. As it does serious 

 damage to game and poultry, it is ruthlessly shot when de- 

 tected, and this undoubtedly accounts for its scarcity. Its 

 notes are in keeping with its character and size. If the 



