Nests in Holes in Trees, Stumps, or Logs 
York about the middle of March; the same hole may be used for 
many years. 
368a. Florida Barred Owl: S.n. alleni Ridgw. 
Breeding Range—Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. 
A larger and darker sub-species of the more northern barred 
owl, having the toes but scantily feathered. Nesting habits are 
probably identical, two eggs being the number most frequently 
laid. 
372. Saw-whet Owl; Acadian Owl: Nyctala acadica 
(Gmel.) 
Adult—Upper parts grayish, streaked and spotted with white ; 
under parts white, with few broad streaks of grayish or red- 
dish brown; legs and feet fully feathered; no ear tufts. 
Length—8.oo. 
Breeding Range—Northern New York and northern New England, 
rarely in Massachusetts and Connecticut. 
The white eggs are laid in hollows in trees, deserted wood- 
peckers’ and squirrels’ nests, also in crows’ and even herons’ nests ; 
rarely in boxes made of bark and fastened to a tree, at some height 
from the ground. There is nothing in the way of a nest, a few 
feathers from the parent bird being sometimes used. 4 to 6 and 
rarely 7 eggs are laid. Size—1.20 x 1.02. 
These diminutive owls are easily recognised by their size 
alone, as they are the smallest of the owls found in the Eastern 
States ; they are strictly nocturnal, and may be seen during the 
day sitting on the branch of hemlock, spruce, or other trees afford- 
ing shade from the bright daylight. 
The breeding season begins about the end of March. 
373. Screech Owl: Megascops asio (Linn.) 
Adult—Either red or gray, independent of age or sex ; every gra- 
dation between the extreme red and gray phases may be 
found. Extreme red phase: Upper parts brilliant rufous, 
streaked with black ; under parts white or very light gray, 
streaked and cross-marked with black, particularly on the 
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