MEGASCOPS. 261 
color of upper surface in general usually more or Jess broken by lighter and darker 
vermiculations. Young, with whole plumage, excepting remiges and tail-feathers, 
simply barred or narrowly banded with dull grayish or whitish, the longitudinal 
and other markings being wholly absent. Nestling: Entirely white. est in holes 
in trees. Eggs 2-6. 
a‘. Toes more or less distinctly feathered or bristled on upper side. 
b'. Dichromatic; the plumage presenting two totally distinct phases, one gray- 
ish, the other bright rufous, which have no relation to sex, age, or season. 
(Eastern races.) 
ce’. Larger, the wing averaging more than 6.00. 
Length 7.50-10.00, wing 6.00-7.10 (6.43), tail 3.05-3.50 (3.26). 
Eggs 1.39 X 1.18. Hab. Eastern United States and British Prov- 
inces, except lower portions of South Atlantic (and Gulf?) States, 
west to Great Plains........ 873. M. asio (Linn.). Screech Owl. 
ce. Smaller, the wing averaging less than 6.00. 
ad. Much darker than M. asio, with markings on lower parts more 
numerous and more extended. Gray phase, deep grayish 
brown, varying to decided umber-brown, above; legs usually 
deep brownish, thickly barred with darker. Rufous phase, 
more richly colored than corresponding plumage of M. asio, the 
legs usually bright rusty. Wing 5.60-6.40 (5.98), tail 2.65-3.20 
(3.00). Eggs 1281.11. Hab. Lower South Carolina and 
Georgia, and whole of Florida. 
373a. M. asio floridanus (Ripew.). Florida Screech Owl. 
@. Slightly darker than MW. asio, with light mottlings on upper parts 
(in both phases) much coarser and more conspicuous. Rufous 
phase with rufous predominating on lower parts. Length 6.50- 
9.00, wing 5.60-6.30 (5.96), tail 3.10-3.40 (3.28). Hggs 1.31 x 1.14. 
Hab. Southern Texas and eastern Mexico, south to Guatemala. 
373d. M. asio trichopsis (WaGL.). Texan Sereech Owl. 
b?, Monochromatic; the plumage presenting in all individuals essentially the 
same character, corresponding to the grayish phase of the eastern races. 
(Western races.) 
ce. Smaller, the wing averaging less than 6.75. 
d'. Plumage nearly pure ash-gray above, the usually broad blackish 
(33.) mesial streaks in conspicuous contrast; blackish bars on lower 
parts very numerous, narrow; black border to face without 
admixture of brown, and black spots on breast usually without 
distinct brown exterior suffusion ; length about 6.50-8.00, wing 
6.10-7.00 (6.41), tail 3.10-3.70 (3.44). Hggs 1341.16. Hab. 
Northwestern Mexico and contiguous border of United States, in 
Arizona and New Mexico, north to Colorado (Colorado Springs). 
373f. M. asio cineraceus (Ripew.). Mexican Screech Owl? 
1 Gf. The Auk, xii. Oct. 1895, 390, 
