BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
193 
Plate XXXIII. 
SCOPS iCSIO, (Linn.) Boi^aparte. 
Mottled Owl. 
Throuc4HOUT the temperate regions of North America few species 
among our nocturnal birds of prey have a wider distribution. In New 
England, and the Middle, Southern and Western sections of our country, it 
is more or less common, but on the Pacific as far north as Sitka, it gives 
place to a different and well-marked variety, one whose habits are not 
materially dissimilar to our Eastern form. Mcllwraith gives it as a resi- 
dent in portions of Canada, near Hamilton and around Montreal, but 
further north, if it appears at all, it is notably scarce. In the Arctic 
regions it is evidently unknown, if the failures on the part of Richardson 
and others to mention it in their travels afford any basis of judgment. 
Towards the extreme limits of its range there is reason to believe that it 
prevails in smaller numbers than elsewhere. In Pennsylvania and New 
Jersey, where its habits have been especially studied by the author, it is 
our most abundant sjoecies. 
It courts rather than shuns human society. In some rural districts 
this familiarity is more manifest than in others, i^articularly where unduly 
harassed by boys and equally offensive birds. The immense good which 
these Owls accomplish in the destruction of vermin should command for 
them p)i’oper respect, but the most cruel persecutions are the only reward 
which they receive. The evil which some of their less scrupulous and 
larger brethren commit, reflects upon them, and they, through ignorance 
and superstition, are made the scape-goats for a multiplicity of sins. But 
fortunately there are localities where they are held in high estimation by 
