178 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



373.2. Xantus Screech Owl. Megascops xantusi. 



Range. Southern Lower California. 



A grayish species with the back and underparts finely vermiculated with red- 

 dish brown, and with streaks of darker. It is not likely that the habits or eggs 

 of this species will be found to differ from those of the Screech Owl. 



374. Flammulated Screech Owl. Megascops flammeola. 



Range. Mountain ranges of Mexico, north to Colorado and west to California. 



This species is smaller than asio, has shorter ear tufts, the plumage is much 

 streaked and edged with rusty, and the toes are unfeathered to their base. They 

 nest in hollow trees, generally using deserted Woodpecker holes. Their three or 

 four eggs are white. Size 1.15 x .95. This species is uncommon in all parts of 

 its range. 

 374a. Dwarf Screech Owl. Megascops flammeola idahoensis. 



Range. Local in Idaho, eastern Washington and California. 



This rare variety is smaller than the preceding and is considerably paler. Its 

 eggs have not been described, but should be a trifle smaller than the last. 



375. Great Horned Owl. Bubo virginianus. 



Range. North America, east of the Plains and north to Labrador. 



This species or its varieties are 

 the only large Owls having con- 

 spicuous ear tufts. They are about 

 22 inches in length, and have a 

 mottled brown, black and white 

 plumage, barred below. This is 

 also one of the "Hoot Owls" but is 

 not nearly as abundant as the 

 Barred Owl. It is one of the strong- 

 est of the family, and captures 

 rabbits, grouse and poultry, and is 

 very often found to have been feed- 

 ing upon, or to have been in the 

 immediate vicinity of a skunk. 

 They nest very early, January, 

 February and March. Deserted 

 Hawk's or Crow's nests are very fre- 

 quently used by this bird, if they 

 are located in dense woods. They 

 also sometimes nest in hollow cav- 

 ities in large trees. They lay from 

 two to four pure white eggs. Size 



2.25 x 1.85. Data. Park County, Indiana, Feb. 15, 1900. Nest in crevice of 

 projecting rocks, on the pulverized sandstone. Collector, Winneld S. Catlin. 



375a. Western Horned Owl. Bubo virginianus pallescens. 



Range. Western North America, except the Pacific coast. 



A smaller and lighter colored form of the preceding having the same habits 

 and the eggs being indistinguishable from those of the eastern bird. 



375b. Arctic Horned Owl. Rubo virginianus arcticus. 



Range. Interior of Arctic America from Hudson Bay to Alaska; south in 

 winter to the northwestern tier of states. 



A very pale colored Horned Owl with little or no buff or brownish in the 

 plumage, some specimens (very rare) being pure white with only a few black 

 bars on the back. Their nesting habits are the same and the eggs do not vary 

 appreciably from those of the eastern Horned Owl. 



[White.! 



