SCREECH OWL. 
MOTTLED OWL. RED OWL. 
MEGASCOPS ASIO. 
CuHar. Above, varying greatly from brownish gray to brownish red, 
spotted (mottled) with darker shades of the same tint 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. 
Vest. Ina hollow tree or stump; the bottom of the hole slightly lined 
with leaves or feathers. 
Eggs. 4-8; 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- 
