178 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



resident in North Carolina, as it is known to breed to the north and south of us. 

 Pearson found a nest with four eggs in a rice mill on Cat Island, South Carolina, 

 April 1, 1907 (Auk, Vol. 25, p. 316). 



The food of this owl consists almost entirely of various rats and mice, as well 

 as other small animals, and much more rarely of small birds. In common with other 

 owls, it hunts at night and its flight is noiseless, thus enabling it to approach its 

 prey with ease. 



It nests in hollow trees, the belfries of churches, seldom used towers, and in 

 similar places. The eggs are pure white, unmarked, and are usually from five to 

 seven in number. 



This is a most interesting and harmless owl, and deserves to be protected on 

 account of its services in destroying rats and mice; instead of which it is usually 

 shot on sight as a curiosity. 



34. FAMILY STRIGID>E. OWLS 



This family contains most of the owls. The representatives possess large, round 

 heads, with comparatively short faces, surrounded by a more or less complete disk 

 of radiating feathers. Most of the species are strictly nocturnal, though a few 

 hunt their prey in the daytime. 



KEY TO GENERA 



1. Eye in the center of a nearly complete circular disk of feathers; external ear larger then eye. 

 See 2. 



1. Eye nearer top than bottom of more or less incomplete disk; external ear not larger than eye; 



eyes yellow. See 4. 



2. Ear-tufts present, sometimes very short; cere longer than rest of culmen; eyes yellow. Asio. 



2. Ear-tufts not evident; cere short. See 3. 



3. Wing 12 or more; eyes dark brown. Strix. 



3. Wing less than 8; eyes yellow. Cryptoglaux. 



4. Head without distinct ear-tufts, plumage chiefly white. Nyctea. 



4. Head with conspicuous ear-tufts. See 5. 



5. Length about 22. Bubo. 

 5. Length about 10. Otus. 



Genus Asio (Briss.) 



This genus is composed of owls with more or less developed ear-tufts, and with 

 the external ears enormously large. The ear-tufts are near together on each side 

 of the base of the bill, instead of being far apart on the outer side of the head, as 

 in the Great Horned Owl and Screech Owl. 



KEY TO SPECIES 



1. Ear-tufts conspicuous; color darker, barred and striped below. Long-eared Owl. 

 1. Ear-tufts rudimentary; color lighter, striped below. Short-eared Owl. 



161. Asio wilsonianus (Less.). LONG-EARED OWL. 



Description. Dusky, more or less mottled and streaked with buffy and grayish; much varie- 

 gated below. L., 14.00; W., 12.00; T., 6.00. 



Range. Temperate North America, breeding from Virginia northward. 



Range in North Carolina. Probably entire State, but so far only known from Wake, Guil- 

 ford and Buncombe counties in winter. 



