84 



in the central part of the county; the record for 1903 is as follows: 

 First seen April 13, next April 17, and last April 29. 



65. [366] Asio wilsonianus (Less.). American Long-eared Owl. 



Rare winter visitor. Fall 1886 (B. W. E.); Jan. 30, 1883 (W. S. B.); 

 March 19, 1885 (C. H. B.), are the only dates at hand. 



66. [367] Asio accipitrinus. (Pall.). Short-eared Owl. 

 "Very rare; two seen in the fall of 1886" (B. W. E.). 



67. [368] Syrnium varium (Barton). Barred Owl.* 



Considered a common resident by C. H. Bollmann, B. W. EVermann 

 and W. S. Blatchley. The last is authority for a breeding record. I 

 know but little concerning the occurrence of owls in Monroe County. 

 In fact owls are more rare here at present than in any place where 

 I have ever made observations. The only record of a Barred Owl in 

 three years is March 24, 1902, when one was heard. That this con- 

 dition is only a temporary one is shown by the fact that in the fall 

 of 1900 Screech Owls were abundant and Great Horned and Barred 

 Owls were often heard and seen. 



68. [372] Cryptoyltutx acadica (Gmel. ). Saw- whet Owl.* 



Rare resident. August 20, 1884. One was taken in the University 

 power plant November 27, 1886 (C. H. B.). 



69. [373] Megascops asio (Linn. ). Screech Owl.* 



Common resident. Breeds. The red phase prevails. With the excep- 

 tion of the fall of 1900 this has been a rare bird here in the last few 

 years. 



This is the fellow Avho can best explain the meaning of the series 

 of fan-like scratches which we see after a fresh fall of snow on either 

 side of two parallel rows of tiny dots which end in a little carmine 

 punctuated pit the shambles of a Peromyscus. A Screech Owl which had 

 the sad affliction of a cataract on one eye was placed in a roomy cage 

 with two whitefooted mice with which to satisfy his appetite. Morning 

 dawned on the scene of an unexpected tragedy. Two mice, with golden 

 coats and pretty white stockings, were nestled in a warm bed of bright 

 rufous feathers, sleeping away the effects of a banquet of owl. 



70. [375] Kubo virginianus (Gmel.). Great Horned Owl. 



Common resident (C. H. B. and B. W. E.). Breeds (W. S. B.). As 

 in the case of the other Striges, rare since 1900. The only recent date 

 is March 22, 1903 (P. J. H.). 



