104 
STRIX OTUS. 
bright tawny ground, thinly interspersed with white ; 
vent, pale yellow ochre, barred with narrow lines of 
brown ; legs and feet large, and covered with feathers 
or hairy down of a pale brown colour; claws, very 
large, blue black ; tail, rounded, extending about an 
inch beyond the tips of the wings, crossed with six or 
seven narrow bars of brown, and variegated or marbled 
with brown and tawny ; whole upper parts finely 
pencilled with dusky, on a tawny and whitish ground; 
chin, pure white, under that a band of brown, succeeded 
by another narrow one of white ; eyes, very large. 
The female is full two feet in length, and has not 
the white on the throat so pure. She has also less of 
the bright ferruginous or tawny tint below ; but is * 
principally distinguished by her superior magnitude. 
SO. STRIX OTUS , WILSON. LONG-EARED OWL. 
WILSON, PL. LI. FIG. I. EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 
This owl is common to both continents, and is much 
more numerous in Pennsylvania than the white, or barn 
owl : six or seven were found in a single tree, about 
fifteen miles from Philadelphia. There is little doubt 
but this species is found inhabiting America to a high 
latitude ; though we have no certain accounts of the 
fact. Except in size, this species has more resemblance 
to the great horned owl than any other of its tribe. 
It resembles it also in breeding among the branches of 
tall trees ; lays four eggs, of nearly a round form, and 
pure white.* The young are greyish white until 
nearly full grown, and roost during the day close 
together on a limb, among the thickest of the foliage. 
This owl is frequently seen abroad during the day, but 
is not remarkable for its voice or habits. 
The long-eared owl is fourteen inches and a half 
long, and three feet two inches in extent ; ears, large, 
composed of six feathers, gradually lengthening from 
* Buffon remarks, that it rarely constructs a nest of its own ; but 
not unfrequently occupies that of others, particularly the magpie. 
