28 
NEW-YORK FAUNA-BIRDS. 
THE SHORT-EARED OWL. 
Otus palustris. 
PLATE XII. FIG. 27. 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Strix brachyotus. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 4, p. 64, pi: 33, fig. 3 (male). 
(ULula) id. Bonap. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 37. 
Short-eared Owl . Audubon, folio, pi. 372; Orn. Biog. Vol. 5, p. 273. Nuttall, Manual Orn. Vol. 1. p. 132. 
S. (Bubo) brachyota. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 75. 
Otus br achy otus. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 1. p. 140, pi. 38 (male). 
Br achy otus palustris. Bonap. Comp. List. 
Otus brachyotus . Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 26. 
Characteristics. Light rufous, with streaks of dark brown. Tufts short, and of 3 or 4 
feathers. Wings and tail subequal. Female, more rufous. Length, 
15 inches. 
Description. Bill curved from the base, compressed. Tufts short and inconspicuous. 
Facial disk complete. Ear-openings with a narrow operculum. Second quill-feather longest; 
the third shorter. Richardson states the tips of the folded wings to reach within an inch and 
a half of the end of the tail. In the specimens which I have examined, they appear to be 
subequal. 
Color. Above rufous, varied with dark brown in streaks and blotches. Facial disk white 
or dusky brown, the part near the eye being black. Wings mottled, and barred with dark 
brown and reddish : quills buff, with a few dark bands. Tail sprinkled with bright brown 
and dusky, and with five or six deep brown bars ; its underside light buff, with two or more 
obsolete brown bars. Leg-feathers buff, unspotted. Bill and claws bluish black. 
Length, 13*0 —17'0. 
This species is found in all the States, and its geographical range appears to be very great.. 
It occurs on both continents. In America, Pennant states that it has been found in the 
Falkland islands, and Richardson saw it as far north as latitude 67°. Its longitudinal range 
is equally great, for it extends across this continent. It breeds in the Middle States. They 
are often seen on the ground, and on low bushes. It is said to be bold and fierce. It lives 
almost exclusively on field mice and hard-winged insects, and is consequently beneficial to 
the farmer. 
