BUEONID^ — THE OWLS. 417 



The fact that iu eastern North America this species is dichro- 

 matic, while in most parts of the West it presents a single phase 

 of plumage — the gray — is one of the most interesting problems in 

 North American ornithology. Scarcely less curious is the fact that 

 in different portions of the Eastern Province the two phases vary 

 in relative abundance. For example, during several years' close 

 observation of birds in the vicinity of Mount Carmel, Ilhnois, I 

 saw but a single specimen in the gray plumage, while the number 

 of "red" specimens must have exceeded fifty. In the vicinity of 

 Washington, D. C, the proportion of the two phases is more nearly 

 equal, although the rufous style is perhaps the more common. In 

 the neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, about the same proportion 

 obtains, according to Dr. F. W. Langdon, who, in the Journal of 

 the Cincinnati Society of Natural History (Vol. V., pp. 52, 53), 

 states that of 56 specimens actually examined, 32 were rufous and 

 24 were gray. 



The Screech Owl (as this species is almost universally known), 

 is, with the possible exception of the Barred Owl, much the most 

 abundant species of the family in Illinois, and is a constant resi- 

 dent wherever found. 



We quote the following account of its habits, by Dr. T. M. Brewer, 

 from History of North American Birds, Vol. III., pp. 56, 57: 



"The Mottled Owl is noctiirnal in its habits, never appearing 

 abroad in the daylight except when driven out by the attacks of 

 hostile birds that have discovered it in its retreat. Its eyes cannot 

 endure the light, and it experiences great inconvenience from such 

 an exposure. During the day it hides in hollow trees, in dark 

 recesses in the forests, or in dark corners of barns, and comes out 

 from its retreat just before dark. During the night it utters a very 

 pecuhar waihng cry, not unlike the half- whining, half-barking com- 

 plaints of a young puppy, alternating from high to low, intermingled 

 with deep guttural trills. These cries, which are sometimes pro- 

 longed until after midnight, usually elicit an answer from its mate 

 or companions, and would seem to be uttered as a call sohciting a 

 reply from some lost associate. Their flight is noiseless and ghding, 

 and they move in a manner so nearly silent as to be hardly per- 

 ceptible. They are excellent mousers, and swallow their food whole, 

 ejecting the indigestible parts, such as hah-, bones, feathers, etc." 

 —27 



