BIRDS OF PREY 207 



screech owl, California screech owl, Rocky Mountain 

 screech owl, etc. The territory inhabited by the common 

 form is the region east of Kansas, across the continent to 

 the Atlantic, and as far south as Georgia. 



The notes of the screech owl are weird and more 

 uncanny than even those of the other species. Like the 

 howl of the coyote or the cry of the loon, there is something 

 suggestive of human distress or agony in these notes. The 

 quavering notes on the darkest night may induce a super- 

 stitious dread, but the birds deserve full protection, as they 

 are highly beneficial because of their destruction of mice and 

 other rodents and beetles. 



The birds, usually resident throughout the year wher- 

 ever found, have the habit of frequenting deserted build- 

 ings, often laying their eggs in some corner of an old barn 

 or shed. Typical nests are placed in deserted woodpecker 

 excavations or hollows in trees and stumps. Three to six 

 pure white eggs are laid in April. 



GREAT HORNED OWL 



The Great Horned Owl, or Hoot Owl, is resident 

 throughout eastern North America from Labrador to Costa 

 Rica. It is one of our four American birds considered 

 decidedly detrimental to the interests of man. The Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture and the Biological Survey have both 

 condemned this bird and imposed the death sentence upon 

 him. The food in many instances is taken from barnyards; 

 consequently, poultry enters largely into the bill of fare; 

 many pellets, too, are found to contain the feathers and 



