I50 BIRDS 



Owl (Otus). The eastern bird (0. asio asio) is very 

 abundant, even within the limits of great cities. The two- 

 color phases — red and gray — are not uncommon among 

 owls, and have no connection with age or sex. Screech 

 owls are vigorous little creatures, indifferent to cold if shel- 

 tered, and under suitable conditions will live in captivity 

 for long periods. 



The Barred Owl {Strix varia) is found throughout 

 eastern North America, with the exception of the extreme 

 southeast portion. It is the commonest of the large owls, 

 and is abundant even near New York City. It is docile 

 and long-lived in confinement, and a number of specimens 

 may be kept together with perfect safety. 



The Snowy Owl (Nyctea nyctea) is at home in the tree- 

 less regions of the Arctics, where it feeds on ptarmigan, 

 water-fowl and rodents. It descends to the United States 

 periodically, usually during severe winters. Females and 

 young are generally heavily marked with black, but males 

 are lighter, some specimens being nearly pure white. This 

 owl does not perch, preferring to sit on the ground, or on a 

 flat stone. It is a very satisfactory species in captivity, 

 but must be protected from severe heat during the sum- 

 mer months. 



The most difficult of owls to keep in captivity are the 

 Long-eared (Asio wilsonianus) and the Short-eared (A. 

 Aammeus). The former, especially, is very delicate. These 

 owls must have an abundance of natural food if there is to 

 be any hope of keeping them. 



The Horned or Eagle Owls (Bubo) are represented 

 in America by the numerous forms of B. virginianus. The 

 Great Horned Owl of the eastern states is too well known 

 as a raider of poultry roosts to need any description. It 

 seldom becomes tame in captivity, but lives well, as do most 

 of the members of its genus. It is exceedingly fierce in 



