406 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



plumes with a few sagilttate marks of brownish; lower toil-coverts each with a median 

 sagittate mark of dusky, this continuing along the shaft, forking toward the base. Lining 

 of the w^ing plain pale ochraceous; inner primary coverts blackish brown, forming a 

 conspicuous spot. 



Wing, 11.5l)-12.00; tail, 6.00-6.20; culmen, .65; tarsus, 1.20; middle toe, 1.15. 



Toiing. Wings and tail as in the adult; other portions transversely banded with 

 blackish brown and grayish white, the latter prevailing anterioriy; eyebrows and loral 

 bristles entirely black; legs white. 



Western specimens apparently average decidedly grayer than 

 eastern ones, some of the latter being very much darker than any 

 I have seen from the West. 



The American Long-eared Owl is closely related to the European 

 A. otiis, but seems sufficiently distinct. The latter has the upper 

 parts striped, instead of confusedly mottled, with dusky ; the lower 

 parts ochraceous on the surface, relieved by ragged longitudinal 

 stripes (but not distinct bars), of dusky. 



The Long-eared Owl is a species of very extensive distribution, 

 yet few of our owls are less generally known. This arises from its 

 strictly nocturnal habits and its predilection for special locahties, 

 such as are not everywhere to be found. Its favorite haunts are 

 dense willow thickets, where it may be surprised taking its day- 

 time nap, standing bolt upright, with feathers closely pressed to 

 its body, and long ear-tufts erect, thus presenting a very comical 

 figure. 



"The usual number of eggs laid by the Long-eared Owl on the 

 Pacific coast is five, although six in a set are by no means rare. 

 When fresh, the eggs are of a bright white color. They are about 

 equally rounded on both ends and rather globular in shape. They 

 average about 1.60 niches in length by 1.32 inches wide, and vary 

 considerably in size, but rarely in shape. The Long-eared Owl 

 commences laying during the first week in April, and I believe that 

 they rear but a single brood in a season. They will lay a second 

 and sometimes a third set after losing their first one, and will 

 occupy the same nest for several seasons, if not too often disturbed. 

 The eggs are hatched in about sixteen days, and the young for the 

 first two weeks are covered with a thick grayish down. Their food 

 consists principally of mice and the smaller rodents, and I doubt 

 if they are guilty of catching small birds." (Capt. C. E. Bendire, 

 in Oridthulogist and OiJlogist.) 



