SCREECH OWL. 135 



pesterin' we all?" Uncle Remus gives it, and it is 

 heard at a long distance. 



This large Owl must be a terror to the smaller 

 inhabitants of the woods, for it eats rabbits, squirrels, 

 shrews and moles, as well as mice. It sometimes 

 takes poultry, but not often, and is considered on the 

 whole beneficial. It spends the day sleeping in thick, 

 dark woods, rarely hunting except at twilight. 



The Hoot Owl nests in a hollow tree and occupies 

 the same place year after year. Only two or three 

 eggs are usually laid; these are more than two inches 



long. 



/ 



Screech Owl: Megascops asio. 



Length 7 to 10 inches. 



Our only small Owl with conspicuous ear-tufts. 

 Upper parts reddish-brown or sometimes gray. 

 Under parts paler, mottled and streaked with black. 

 Resident (common) all the year. 



Screech Owls are very common and so useful that 

 Dr. Fisher says " Whoever destroys them through 

 ignorance or prejudice should be severely con- 

 demned." The wailing cry of the Screech Owl is an 

 uncanny sound at night, and makes the listener glad 

 of human companionship. 



These Owls nest rather low in hollow trees. Old 

 orchards are favorite places, and they keep the same 

 home for years. They hunt in the daytime as well as 

 at night. 



The plumage of the Screech Owl is sometimes red- 

 dish-brown and sometimes gray, " two totally distinct 

 phases, having no relation to sex, age or season." 



