BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 207 
with small lanceolate and circular spots of brownish-black; 
under coverts of wings and tail white; quills fawn color; 
primaries with about five irregular transverse bars of brown- 
ish-black; tail with about four or five bands of dark brown; face 
white; spots of dark chestnut brown around the eyes; irides 
brownish-black; bill, toes and claws, light yellowish. 
Length (of female), 16; wing, 13; tail 5.50. 
Habitat, North America, from New York and Minnesota, 
southward through Mexico. 
Family BUBONITD 44 
ASLO WILSONIANUS (Lesson). (366.) 
AMERICAN LONG-EARED OWL. 
Although falling far short of being as common a species in 
this State as the Great Horned Owl, (Bubo virginianus), it is 
by no means rare. Its extremely reticent, and entirely noctur- 
nal habits, have led many, conversant with the general habits 
of the birds to suppose it to be a very unusual migrant here, 
instead of a permanent resident. For the reasons already 
suggested, little is yet known of its breeding habits. A few 
nests have come within my observation, some of which were 
found within what has since become a portion of our city limits. 
Between Lakes Calhoun and Harriet, there is a Tamarack 
swamp, very densely wooded, or was until thinned out by the 
Lakewood Cemetery Company. In the forks of some of the 
tallest members of the group, were some nests of the Long 
eared Owl. The nests consist of green larch twigs, leaves and 
grass. In the heart of the Big Woods are many small dried 
swamps untouched by the woodman’s axe. Not many of these 
will need to be searched by one practiced in hunting birds’ 
nests in their season, before the labor will be rewarded by the 
discovery of not only the nest of this species, but that also of 
the Saw-whet Owl. But of that, more in its own place. The 
eggs are four in number, and pure white. 
The first brood is on the wing before April is gone, and the 
last, by the first of August. Their food consists of mice, and 
small birds. No other species of owl is so exclusively noctur- 
nal in all of its habits. They are quite generally distributed 
where there is heavy timber. 
Mr. Washburn found them common at Thief River in Otter 
Tail county, from which circumstance we may with abundant 
reason, suppose them equally so in the northern sections of 
the State generally. 
