Owls BIRDS OF PREY. 



do is to remember its length, and that, of our two small 

 Owls, the one having horns is the Screech Owl. 



They are bright, handsome birds, no matter what plumage 

 they wear, and inveterate mousers, who should receive every 

 encouragement and protection. They eat a few Song-birds, 

 but have also a fondness for English Sparrows, which wipes 

 out their small sins. Mr. George C. Jones, writing from 

 Brookfield Centre, Fairfield County, Conn., says : " I think 

 the smaller species of Owls feed upon the cutworm to some 

 extent. I have found cutworms in the stomach of the com- 

 mon Screech Owl and in the Long-eared Owl. The fact that 

 both the cutworms and the Owls are nocturnal leads me to 

 believe that the Owls, of all the birds, are the most efficient 

 exterminators of this formidable pest and should on this 

 account receive protection." Let flower lovers protect the 

 Owls by all means then, if in return they will keep the sly 

 cutworm from the young carnations and heliotropes. 



Great Horned Owl : Bubo virginianus. 



Hoot Owl 

 PLATE 54. 



Length : 19-23 inches ; female, 21-24 inches. 



Male and Female : Large ponderous birds. Long ear tufts, feathers 

 mottled irregularly, buff, tawny brown, and whitish. Iris yellow, 

 pupil round and large, with great power of contraction. Feet 

 and legs feathered. Bill and claws black. 



Note : A wild startling " Hoo-hoo-oooo ! Waugh-hoo ! " 



Season : Resident. 



Breeds : In February or March, but the young grow slowly, remaining 

 ten to twelve weeks in the nest. 



Nest : Seldom in holes at the north, usually a bulky nest on a horizon- 

 tal branch, in deep woods. Preferably in evergreens and near 

 the top. 



Eggs : Usually 2, dirty white. 



Range : Eastern North America, west to the Mississippi Valley, and 

 from Labrador south to Costa Rica. 



This vigorous and untamable Owl is easily identified 

 because of its great size and long ear feathers. The largest 

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