LAND BIRDS. 323 
expelled. The eggs are laid, in this latitude, from the middle of April 
to the middle of May, and they are commonly placed on the rubbish at the 
bottom of the cavity without any attempt at a nest. The birds are likely 
to use the same nesting place year after year, but apparently only a single 
brood is reared ina season. The eggs are pure white, unspotted, and average 
1.42 by 1.19 inches. 
The food of the Screech Owl is quite varied, but although small mammals, 
and especially mice, form a large and constant factor in its diet, it also 
catches a few birds (notably English Sparrows), and is very fond of insects 
and of crayfish. Probably its continued and increasing abundance in our 
larger towns and cities is due to the abundance of English Sparrows, on 
which it largely subsists during winter. Out of 212 stomachs reported 
Fig. 81. Screech Owls. Young. 
From photograph by C. Wm. Beebe. Courtesy of Bird Lore. 
upon by Dr. A. K. Fisher, 1 contained poultry; 38, other birds; 91, mice; 
11, other mammals; 2, lizards; 4, frogs or toads; 1, fish; 100, insects; 5, 
spiders; 2, scorpions; 9, crayfish; 2, earthworms; 7, miscellaneous. Among 
the birds found in the stomachs there were remains of 21 sparrows, more 
than half of which were English Sparrows. The fondness of this owl for 
mice is well known, and it is probable that the farmer has no more valuable 
ally in his war against these pests than the common Screech Owl. Doubt- 
less this little owl, which is notoriously courageous or even savage, does 
occasionally pick up a small chicken, but its opportunities for such harm 
must be very limited and the damage so done is infinitesimal. 
The remarkable differences in color which occur in this species, known 
as “dichromatic phases,” seem to be entirely independent of age, sex or 
locality, and as yet no thoroughly satisfactory explanation has been given 
of the fact that among young of the same parents some may develop the 
