SCREECH OWL. 



169 



The low, wailing, moaning notes of this Owl are not loud, but their 

 character enables them to be heard a considerable distance; they sug- 

 gest, without resembling, those of the common dove. They may be 

 heard at any time from dusk to dawn, and on rare occasions in the 

 daytime. 



DESCEIPTION. 



Toes more or less distinctly feathered or bristled on upper side. Ear 

 tuffcs conspicuous. Plumage presenting two totally distinct phases, 

 having no relation to sex, age, or season; one grayish, the other bright 

 rufous ; though birds from the Eocky Mountains and the Pacific Slope, 

 south of the northwest coast region, are known only in the gray plum- 

 age. A more or less conspicuous bright-colored stripe runs along each 

 side of the back, and a blackish line along the shafts of the feathers, 

 sometimes throwing out transverse bars. 



Length: 6.50 to 10 inches (165 to 254"i'") ; extent, 20 to 24 inches (508 

 to 610"""); wing, 5.60 to 7.10 inches (142 to 180"<»); tail, 3 to 3.70 

 inches (75 to 94"'"'). 



Taile allowing the results of examinations of 254 stomachs of the Screech Owl 



{Megascops asio). 



