BIRDS OF KANSAS. 299 



"eyebrows" and lores with black shafts; a narrow crescent of black against ante- 

 rior angle of the eye. Facial circle of blackish brown and creamy white bars, 

 the former prevailing along the anterior edge, the latter more distinct posteri- 

 orly, and prevailing across the neck in front, .where the brown form disconnected 

 transverse spots." 



Stretch of 

 Length. u<ing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Sill. Cere. 



Male 19.20 45.00 13.25 9.00 2.20 1.05 .50 



Female... 20.50 46.00 13.50 9.50 2.20 1.10 .50 



Iris blnish black; bill dull yellow; claws horn color. 



This is one of our most common Owls. I have occasionally 

 met with it in the deep forest, but it is usually found in the 

 woodlands bordering the streams, marshes, and low prairie 

 lands. At the approach of twilight the solitude surrounding 

 them is occasionally broken by their loud laughing call note: 

 "Waugh, waugh, waugh, wah, har, a," or, "Who, who, who, 

 wah, who, a." During the early breeding season they are es- 

 pecially noisy, and in camp I have often, in the still hours of 

 night, been awakened by their guttural call. The birds are said 

 by some writers to occasionally hunt by day, and they may do 

 so when the young are clamorous for food, but I imagine with 

 poor success, for from my observation they do not appear to see 

 clearly enough in daylight to readily distinguish objects; but as 

 the shades of evening darken, they leave their retreats, and, 

 with noiseless wings* and easy, steady flight, course near the 

 ground, ready to snatch up of pounce upon the unlucky little 

 quadrupeds or birds in sight. Frogs also help to make up their 

 bill of fare. In their destruction of rabbits, mice, gophers, etc. , 

 they are of great value to the farmer. Of course, fowls that are 

 allowed to roost at night upon outbuildings, fences and trees 

 fall an easy prey; but, as the poorest farmer is able to erect a 

 suitable hen house, he is not entitled to sympathy for any such 

 outside loss. 



Their nests are usually placed in natural cavities of trees, but 

 they occasionally breed in old Hawks' nests in the forks of the 

 branches; a few feathers and leaves generally constitute the 

 lining. Eggs two to four, 2.05x1.65; white; in form, nearly 

 spherical. 



*The webs of the primaries, or wing quills, of all Owls that I have examined, are remark- 

 ably soft and pliant, yielding so readily to the pressure of the air as to enable them to swiftly 

 steal unheard upon" their prey. 



