1'42 



SOKEECH OWL. 



Megascops asio. 



DESCRIPTION. 



"Toes more or less distinctly feathered or bristled on upper 

 side; eai' tufts conspicuous; plumage presenting two totally 

 distinct phases, having no relation to sex. age or season; one 

 grayish-white, the other bright rufous. * * * A more or 

 less conspicuous bright colored stripe runs along each side of 

 the back, and a blackish line along the shafts of the feathers, 

 sometimes throwing out transverse bars. L,ength, GV^ to 10 

 inches: extent 20 to 24 inches." — Fisher. 



Habitat. — Ttmperate eastern North America, South Georgia 

 and west to the plains. Common in Pennsylvania. 



This handsome little owl is one of the most common 

 of all owls found in Pennsylvania. It is resident, but, 

 unlike the lon*>-('arert species, is not gregarious. Its 

 almost spliorieal and white eggs — four to six in number 

 (mostly four) — are deposited in a hollow tree. A tree 

 in an apple orchard is frequently made use of for 

 breeding purposes, as well as a common diurual resort, 

 at all seaso-ns. The eggs measure about 1.33 by 1.18 

 inches. This bird, when taken from the nest audi 

 raised, makes a very interesting pet, one that not only 

 becomes attached to its master, but which is also capa- 

 ble of rendering him most eflficient services in the de- 

 struction of inic(s who.se vexatious ravages are fre- 

 quently so aunoyiug. Some few years ago- an ac-j 

 (|uaintance of mine placed two of these birds in his 

 cellar which was overrun with mice, and in a few 

 weeks the place was depopulated of these little foui-- 

 footed ])ests. 



.\s A ri'rr. 



.\ Sci<'e<li Owl uiiicli 1 kf'pl for sevcial mouths in 

 captivity Fed cagei-ly on gi-asshop|»pis and pieces of 



