OWLS 
263 
370. Great Grey Owl. la chouette cendree. Scotiaptex nebulasa L, 27. Of 
much the same general grey tone as the Barred Owl, but considerably larger. 
Distinctions. By measurement and in appearance the 
largest of our owls, but when stripped of its abundance of 
soft feathers a surprisingly small bird. Like the Barred 
Owl in general coloration and lack of horns; but with 
yellow instead of black eyes (Figure 382), and having the 
coloration of the breast and underparts diffused, and with- 
out a definite pattern of stripes anti bars. 
Field Marks. Size, grey coloration, and lack of breast- 
bars. 
Nesting. In trees. 
Distribution. The forests of the north, across the 
continent. 
SUBSPECIES. The Cinereous Owl occurs in the 
northern parts of both the New and Old Worlds, but is 
represented in each by distinct subspecies. The European form is the Lapp Owd S. n. 
lapponica, and the American is the Great Grey Owl (la Chouette cendree d’Am^rique), 
t he type race. 
This owl is only a winter visitor in the settled parts of Canada. 
Economic Status. What economic influence this bird effects is a 
beneficial one. Data on its food are rather scarce. Of 9 stomachs exam- 
ined, 1 contained a small bird; 7, mice; and 4, other mammals. It is 
evidently an efficient mouser. 
366. American Long-eared Owl. brush owl. le hibotj A. oreilles longues. 
Asio wilsonianus. L, 14-80. Plate XXXIV B. A medium-sized owl, similar in general 
coloration to the darker race of the Great Horned Owl, but much smaller and of more slender 
build. 
Distinctions. Although the colouring is suggestive of a dark Great Horned Owl, 
the difference in size easily separates the two; besides this, the Long-eared Owl has none 
of the fine, sharp vermiculation, above or below, that is so characteristic of the other 
species. From the Short-eared Owl, which is about equal in size and build, it may be dis- 
tinguished by the prominent horns or ear tufts that spring from the centre of the forehead, 
by its lack of decided, sharp striping, and the amount of grey, or black and white, that 
suffuses the body colour. The Long-eared Owl is softly striped below, but the stripes are 
somewhat crossbar red and there is much white overwash. The Short-eared Owl is sharply 
striped with brown on tawny and there is little if any crossbarring or white. It is decidedly 
a striped bird, the Long-eared is not. 
Field Marks. The prominent horns standing up from the middle of the forehead, 
rusty-brown facial disks, and general greyness will differentiate this from the Short-eared 
Owl, the only species with which it is likely to be confused. 
Nesting. In trees or bushes usually in the deserted nests of hawks or crows. 
Distribution. Temperate North America. In Canada, across the continent, north to 
near the tree limit. 
This is an owl of the brush land and couldes. In dryer parts of the 
Prairie Provinces there is scarcely a wooded coulee that has not its pair of 
Long-eared Owls, raising their brood in the nest once built by a crow or 
buteo. Brooding here or perched in the shadowy thicket, through the day, 
it sallies forth to the prairie level at night, carrying death and destruction 
into the ranks of the small nocturnal rodents. That it takes occasional 
feathered game on opportunity is evident from stomach examination, 
but the species cannot be an important economically harmful factor because 
of this. It is notable that although many coulees harbour a pair of this 
species, it is invariably absent from those occupied by its larger relative, 
the Great Horned Owl. 
Figure 382 
Cinereous Owl; scale, 4. 
