214 NOTES ON THE 
concealed spots of white; face ashy-white; throat white; under 
parts ashy-white, with longitudinal stripes of pale reddish- 
brown; under coverts of wings and tail white; quills brown 
with small spots of white on their outer edges, and large spots 
of the same on their inner webs; tail brown; every feather 
with about three pairs of spots of white; bill and claws dark; 
irides yellow. 
Length, 7.50 to 8; wing, 5.50. 
Habitat, North America. 
MEGASCOPS ASLO (L.). (373.) 
SCREECH OWL. 
This owl’s presence in different portions of the timbered sec- 
tions has been verified beyond a question, by its distinctive 
notes for a great many years, yet it has only occasionally been 
seen. When riding through the dark primeval forest which 
formerly encompassed Lake Minnetonka, it was no unusual 
experience in early spring, to hear one or more of these birds 
screech in the distance, particularly if a few rays of a pretty full 
moon found their way through the leafless’ branches. That 
they breed here there can be no doubt, for they are here in 
summer. But one nest has been found that I have had the 
privilege of examining. It was in a hollow stump and con- 
sisted of grass, leaves, plenty of moss, and some feathers. 
It contained four, nearly round, polished, white eggs, having: 
been discovered about the 10th of May, but was not invaded 
till the 16th. 
The lumbermen claim that they hear their screechings at. 
times all winter in the pine forests about Mille Lacs, and other 
logging sections. 
Dr. Hvoslef reports them ‘‘occasional” at Lanesboro, but 
does not state at what season of the year. 
Mr. Washburn makes the same report from Devil’s Lake in 
August. 
The nest is generally in a hole in a tree at varying elevations 
from the ground, but has occasionally been found in other situ- 
ations, notably about isolated old outhouses and barns. They 
build about the first week in May. 
SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 
Upper parts pale ashy-brown, with longitudinal lines of 
brownish-black, mottled irregularly with the same and with 
cinereous; under parts ashy-white, with longitudinal stripes of 
brownish-black, and with transverse lines of the same color; 
face, throat and tarsi ashy-white, irregularly lined and mottled 
