SHORT-EARED OWL. 
367. Asio ficimmeus. 16 inches. 
About the same size as the preceding, but readily identi¬ 
fied from it by the short ear tufts and rounded head, and 
also lighter color. It is streaked on under parts and not barred. 
Tail is barred. Their flight is perfectly silent, which aids them 
in securing their prey of field mice and moles, which they usu- 
ally get without stopping in their flight, just swooping down, 
and extending their long legs, armed with wicked little sharp 
claws, and it is all over with the little rodent, he being carried 
to a nearby stump and devoured, fur, bones and all. 
Nest.- —Is usually built upon the ground in marshy places, 
sometimes of grass and weeds, under some bush or near or un¬ 
der some log or stump. Four to seven pure white eggs 
(1.55x 1.25). 
SPOTTED OWL. 
369. Strix occidentalis. 20 inches. 
This is very similar to the Barred Owl of the Eastern and 
Southern States, but spotted, instead of barred, on the back of 
the head and neck, and much more extensively barred on the 
under parts. 
IIS 
