SCREECH OWL. 



MOTTLED OWL. RED OWL. 



Megascops ASIO. 



Char. Of two phases, brownish gray and brownish red. Above, 

 mottled with darker shades of the prevailing color and with blackish ; 

 below, dull whitish or with a rufous tint and heavily marked with dull 

 brown or blackish. In highly colored red examples the spots are less 

 frequent. Large ear tufts ; wings and tail barred with the light and dark 

 colors ; legs feathered and toes bristled. Length 7 to 10 inches. 



Nest. In a hollow tree or stump ; the bottom of the hole slightly lined 

 with leaves or feathers. 



Eggs. 4-S ; white, nearly round ; 1.35 X 1.20. 



Mottled Owl. — This common, small, and handsome species, 

 known as the Little Screech Owl, is probably resident in every 

 part of the United States, and, in fact, inhabits from Greenland 

 to Florida, and westward to the Oregon. It appears more 

 abundant in autumn and winter, as at those seasons, food fail- 



