DESCRIPTIVE LIST 



179 



The Long-eared Owl, which in general appearance somewhat suggests a small 

 Great Horned Owl, has been taken at Raleigh in various years in December and 

 January. On February 24, 1910, a specimen, with sexual organs well developed, 

 was shot at Caraleigh Mills, Wake County. As this species breeds in March, and 

 is said to be w T holly nocturnal and very quiet and unobtrusive, it is quite possible 

 that it is a rare summer resident with us. 



FIG. 138. LONG-EARED OWL. 



We have only two other records from the State. One was a bird taken by Cairns 

 near Asheville in November, 1889, and the second was brought to Pearson by a 

 farmer at Greensboro in December, 1901. 



This species, unlike most owls, does not nest in hollow trees, but in the disused 

 nests of crows or hawks, which it repairs and lines afresh. The eggs are white, 

 like those of all owls, and are usually from three to six in number. 



162. Asio flammeus (Pont.}. SHORT-EARED OWL. 



Description. Buffy whitish, striped with dark brown, the stripes narrower below. 

 W., 12.00; T., 6.25. 



Range. Nearly the whole world, except Australia. 

 Range in North Carolina. Whole State in winter. 



L., 15.00; 



The Short-eared Owl is not infrequently met with in our State in winter, a 

 number of specimens having been taken from early November to February, in the 

 counties of Buncombe, Carteret, Craven, Guilford, and Wake. 



This species is especially fond of field rats and mice, and consequently, unlike 

 most owls, it frequents open fields, meadows, and marshes rather than dense woods. 



