BIRDS OF THE NORTHERN STATES 299 
mice, and grasshoppers. Is not shy and will allow a person to come quite 
close, then it flies a short distance and lets him come up again. In this 
way the writer once caught one with his bare hands. The ear-tufts are 
scarcely longer than the other feathers, 
and one often fails to find the “ ears.” 
Upper parts brownish and buff, under parts 
whitish or buffy streaked with brown; tail 
has buff and brown bands or bars. Nest 
onthe ground. Common S.R. and P.R. 
373 Screech Owl. Length 734 to 10 
inches. 
May be known by its small sizes and 
distinct ear-tufts, and the weird whistling 
or screeching notes of its night call. It 
prefers orchards or tree plantings near our 
dwellings to dense woods. Nests in trees. 
Feeds on mice and insects. Color of upper 
parts varies from gray to bright rusty 
brown ; below, gray marked with brown and black. Rare in the Dakotas 
but common eastward. P.R. 
SHORT-EARED OWL 
375 Great Horned Owl. Hoot Owl. Length 18-25 inches. 
= This owl lives in the woods and nests in 
we trees. Seldom seen in the daytime. A mag- 
Le j nificent owl and a favorite for mounted speci- 
mens. It is the only owl that kills poultry and 
birds in any numbers, though even this one is 
more apt to dine on gophers and other small 
mammals. It is the owl that is famous for its 
deep-toned whoo, hoo, hoo, whd0-d, whoo-s. 
Far-tufts nearly two inches long; upper parts 
finely mottled with buff and black ; under parts 
reddish buff barred with black; a white patch 
on the throat ; legs and feet feathered. P.R. 
ScREECH OWL 
376 Snowy Owl. Length 20-27 inches. 
A very large, beautiful ow] often used for a mounted specimen. Color 
white, barred with dark grayish brown; legs and feet heavily feathered ; 
