DIFFERENTIAL POINTS: 
See Little Screech Owl. 
REMARKS : 
The three eggs illustrated were selected from four sets, all of which were found in the northern counties. 
They show the ordinary shapes and sizes. 
The Long-eared Owl, as stated in the beginning of this sketch, is exclusively a woods bird, being 
seldom, I might almost say never, seen in the open. That the species is very common in some localities 
of the United States there can be no doubt. H. D. Minot says: “It is, perhaps, the most numerous of 
American Owls.” Its habits of life and silence contribute to make it apparently much more scarce than 
it really is. In Ohio, especially in central and southern, it undoubtedly is very scarce. During the past 
fifteen years, much of which time I have spent in the woods, I have never encountered but one of these 
Owls, and up to the time I took up residence in New York State. I was entirely unacquainted with its 
breeding habits, although familiar with nests and eggs of most other Owls. There is no doubt but that 
this species is far more common in the east than in the western and middle states. 
It is possible to pass close by these birds in the woods and yet not perceive them, as they sit very 
quietly when one approaches, being either too stupid or too cunning to fly. The whole nature of the 
bird is retiring and quiet, and in captivity it maintains the same traits, seldom showing a disposition 
to fight or bite. It is more truly nocturnal than most of the small Owls, hunting entirely by night, I 
have never heard it utter a cry, nor have I, while camping in such places as it usually inhabits, ever 
heard a cry that did not bespeak the author of it too plainly to entertain the suggestion that the sound 
might have come from one of these birds. With the exception of their love song, which all birds seem 
to have, it is, I believe, mute. C. J. Maynard thinks he has heard them utter a cry during the 
breeding season, but is not sure, and he thinks it highly probable that they have characteristic calls 
as well as a love song. H. D. Minot, in speaking of the species, says: “I have never heard them utter 
any notes, and they are probably silent except during the season of love.” Audubon, however, states: 
“When camped in the woods I have frequently heard the notes of this bird at night; its cry is prolonged 
and plaintive, though consisting of two or three notes repeated at intervals.” Beside such testimony all 
negative observations must be taken with great caution. 
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