202 



STlilGlDiE, 0«'LS. GEN. 140, 141. 



rarely N. to New Itiiglmid. Wii.s., vi, f)7, ]il. .50, f. 2 ; KciT., i, 139 ; Aui)., 

 i, 127, 2)1. 34; Cass, in Bj)., 47; Coor., 41.5. flasijiea var. amei:icana. 



0,1 



CI 



140. Genus BXJBO Cuvier. 



Greal Horned Old. Distinguished hy its large size, in connection with 

 the conspicuous ear-tufts: the other species of similar dimensions are tuft- 

 less. The plumage varies interminablj^ 

 and no concise description will meet all 

 its phases ; it is a variegation of blackish, 

 with dark and light brown, and fulvous. 

 A white collar is the most constant color- 

 mark. Var. ordivus is the northern bird, 

 ver)' light colored, and frequently nearly 

 white, like tlie snowy owl, in arctic speci- 

 mens. Var. pacificus is a littoral form, 

 very dark colored, with little fulvous, 

 "extending from Oregon northward, 

 coastwise, to Labrador."' {Hidgioay .') 

 Facial disks complete; ear uon-opercu- 

 late ; feet entirely feathered. Length 

 alxnit 2 feet, rather less than more ; wing 

 14-16 inches; tail 9-10. This powerful 

 bird, only yielding to the great gray owl 

 in size, and to none in spirit, is a common 

 inhabitant of North America at large ; not 

 migratory ; breeds in late winter inid early spring months, building a Ir.rgc 

 nest of sticks, on the brandies or in the hollows of trees ; eggs white, 

 nearly spherical, 2^ by 1|. Wils., vii, 52, pi. 50, f. 1; Nutt., i, 124; 

 AuD., i, 143, pi. 39 ; Cass, in Bd., 49 ; Coop., 418. . . virginianus. 



Gieat Horned Owl. 



141. Genus SCOPS Savigny. 



* Toes hristly. 

 , t\ Screech Oiol. Red Owl. Molded Owl. Like a miniature i>;(6o in form; 

 8 or 10 inches long ; wing 6-7 ; tail 3-3 J. One plumage: — Gcner;il as|)ect 

 gray, paler or whitish below, above speckled with blackish, below patched 

 with the same ; wings and tail dark-barred ; usually a lightish scapular area. 

 Another: — General aspect brownish-red, with sharp black streaks; below, 

 rufous-white, variegated ; quills and tail with rufous and dark bars. These 

 plumages shade insensibly into each other, and it has been determined that 

 they bear no definite relations to age, sex, or season. Parallel varia- 

 tions occur in some other species. North America at large ; one of the 

 most abundant species. Wils., iii, 16, pi. 19, f. 1 ; v, 83, pi. 42, f. 1; 

 Nutt., i, 120 ; Add., i, 147, pi. 40 ; Cass, in Bd., 51 ; Coor., 420. asio. 



