-THE O. & O. SEMI-ANNUAL. II 
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCREECH OWL. 
BY WM. G. SMITH, LOVELAND, COL. 
This little owl is a resident in the lower mountainous portions 
of Colorado at all season, although a shiftless one, sometimes 
being numerous in certain localities, while on the next visit not 
one can be found. It appears to be strictly nocturnal in its move- 
ments and generally hides during the day in some hollow tree, in 
the absence of which it selects some secluded spot where the veg- 
etation is very dense, as it is incessantly hunted by the villainous 
Black-billed Magpie. 
It commences to breed early in April. I took a full set as early 
as the fourth of that month, this year. It deposits its eggs (usu- 
ally four) in some hollow tree asa rule, but I have found them 
in an old deserted magpie’s nest; in this case, as also when laid 
in a hollow tree, it is sparingly lined with a few feathers. Both 
birds may occasionally be found on the eggs at one time, and are 
very loth to leave: nothing short of physical persuasion will 
tempt them to leave their nest. 
A few days ago my son took out two old birds from a hollow 
tree and then discovered two eggs which he let remain; and his 
hand was scarcely drawn from the hole before one old bird bolted 
in again. Any ordinary bird would consider themselves grossly 
insulted and forsake their nest ; not so with AZegascops asio max- 
wellie, as in this case they went right along with duties and laid 
their full complement of eggs. As a rule they lay-an egg each day 
until four is laid, but in some cases it takes them two weeks to get 
together their full clutch, and consequently some birds hatch out 
long before the others, as they appear to set on the eggs from the 
start. 
The Rocky Mountain variety is much lighter in color than the 
eastern form, having but very little or no tawny on its wings and 
body, and is a very pretty bird. The eggs are nearly round, pure 
white and measure about 1.50x1.20. I. never found more than 
four in a clutch and often but three. 
