NOltTH AMtiHlCAb JH Itbti. 241 



The plumage of this form is described as nearly ashy-gray above, with broad 

 blackish streaks in strong contrast, blackish bars on lower parts numerous, black 

 border on the face and black spots on the breast. Its general habits do not differ 

 from those of its Northern and Eastern relatives. Average size of the eggs, 

 1.30x1.10. 



373<j. AIKEN'S SCREECH OWL. Meyuywtpfs asw akeni Brewst. Geog. 

 Dist. Plains El Paso County, Colorado, south probably to Central New Mexico anu 

 Northern Arizona. 



I have no knowledge concerning the nesting habits of this bird. There is no 

 reason to believe that they differ materially from those of the Flammulated Screech 

 Owl. 



373//. MACFARLANE'S SCREECH OWL. Mwjascops asio macfar- 

 lann. Geog. Dist. East of the Cascades in Washington, interior of British Co- 

 lumbia; southward to Central Oregon and eastward into Montana. 



So far as I know there are no published records concerning the nidification 

 of this new subspecies. 



374. FLAMMULATED SCREECH OWL. Mtyascups flummeola (Kaup.) 

 Geog. Dist. Highlands of Guatemala and Central Mexico, north to Colorado and 

 Northern California. 



A small species whose general appearance is that of a young or rather an ungrown 

 Mottled Owl, J/. asio the toes are entirely naked to the extreme base. A nest of 

 this Owl was found in Fremont county, Colorado, June 15, 1875, by Charles E. Aiken; 

 it was in a dead pine tree, and contained one egg, which was taken with the female 

 bird. In color and shape the egg resembles those of other species of the genus, and 

 measures 1.12x.95. 



374a. DWARF SCREECH OWL. Mcffaxcops flamneola idahoensis Merriam. 

 Geog. Dist. Mountains of Central Idaho. 



The type specimen of this new subspecies, and so far as known the smallest of 

 our Screech Owls, was obtained in the Big Wood River Mountains, near Ketchum, 

 Alturus county, Idaho, September 22, 1890. Nothing so far as I am aware is known 

 concerning its general habits, nests or eggs, but it is reasonable to believe that they 

 do not differ from the preceding species. 



375. GREAT HORNED OWL. Liubo virffinianus iGmel.) Geog. Dist. East- 

 ern North America, westward as far as the Mississippi Valley, and from Labrador 

 south to Costa Rica. 



Literature abounds with the observations of naturalists on the habits of the 

 Great Horned Owl, and the pages of prose, poetry and song graphically depict its 

 many characteristics. It is known as the Hoot or Cat Owl, or "Hooter," and ife the 

 largest of all the owls with ear-tufts. A common bird throughout North America at 

 large in its several geographical varieties, the present species being restricted to the 

 region east of the Mississippi Valley. Barn-yards are its favorite hunting grounds, 



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