654 A YEAR WITH THE BIRDS 
Nest: A rude structure which may be built either on the abandoned 
nests of Hawks, Crows, or Herons, on the ground, or in hollow 
stumps. 
Eggs: 4-6, the usual soiled white. 
This valuable bird is intermediate in size between the com- 
mon Great Horned Owl and the little Screech Owl. It takes 
its common name from the conspicuous tufts of feathers, er- 
roneously called ears, which it can erect over its head. These 
contain eight or ten feathers, and are about as long as the 
middle toe with the claw. This bird is tawny above, while be- 
low it is grayish white with streaks and bars of brown, black, 
and tawny, while the feet and legs are tawny and unspotted. 
It is from thirteen to sixteen inches long, and has a spread of 
wings of about thirty-nine inches. 
The Long-eared Owl is strictly nocturnal in its habits, as 
is the common little Screech Owl, and differs in this regard 
from the Short-eared Owl and a few others, that may hunt in 
the day time. While a few may be found in our state during 
the winter, it generally migrates southward at this season. 
Sometimes several birds may be found in a colony or group. 
“Although quiet during the day, and apparently indisposed 
to venture into the strong light, when started it is able to 
thread its way rapidly through the most intricate passages and 
to evade obstructions, demonstrating that its vision is in no way 
defective. The bird is not wild, and will allow itself to be 
closely approached. When conscious that its presence is rec- 
ognized it sits upright, draws the feathers close to the body, 
and erects the ear tufts, resembling in appearance a piece of 
weather-beaten bark more than a bird. It makes a very gentle 
and interesting pet, and will afford great amusement by its 
antics. An individual which the writer once had would allow 
itself to be dressed in a doll’s hood and shawl by the children. 
When too roughly handled it would fly to the top of the 
door, though in a few minutes it would return to them and 
appear to be interested in all the details of their play. — A. K. 
Fisher. 
Short-eared Owl: Asia accipitrinus. R. 
Length: 1375-17 inches. 
Male and Female: Inconspicuous ear tufts, facial disk with a dark 
ring enclosed in a lighter one. Plumage varied from bright 
orange to buffy white, with bold stripes of dark brown, darker 
