172 ^'EW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



EGGS AND YOUNG OF LONGKARED OWL. 

 From a photograph by T. H. J.^ckson. 



Tlie American Long-Eared Owl, Asio wilsoniamis (Less.), is. 

 like the barn owl, found throughout temperate North America 

 and Mexico, and also like that species, it is eminently nocturnal. 

 The chief difference from the bird of the Old World is the break- 

 ing up of the longitudinal stripes into mottling or indistinct trans- 

 verse bars. Although such a distinction as this is only superficial, 

 yet the fact that the American owls are completely isolated geo- 

 graphically, from the Eurasiatic birds, warrants their specific 

 designation. 



In size it is midway between the great horned owls and the 

 screech owls, and its long feather horns rise from the middle, not 

 the sides, of the head. 



Although not an uncommon bird, yet we know but little of 

 its habits and less of its notes. Sometimes when hunting it utters 

 a low, pleasing whistle, but when disturbed on its nest, it gives 

 voice to a loud wailing cry and a grating mew, while in common 



