BIRDS OF COLORADO. 
77 
young are around by the middle of July. Breeds from the 
plains to 11,500 feet and in the fall ascends to the highest peaks, 
feeding on mice and grasshoppers. 
364. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis. American Osprey. 
Summer resident; not uncommon, locally. W. E. D. 
Scott found a pair breeding at Twin Lakes at about 9,000 feet. 
(B. N. O. C. IV. 1879, 90.) It is said to begin laying the last 
of April, but Mr. Scott found eggs as late as the middle of June. 
Has been taken in the fall as high as 10,500 feet. 
365. Strix pratincola. American Barn Owl. 
Resident; very rare. The only record for Colorado is the 
one mentioned by H. G. Smith as caught in the Town Hall of 
South Denver. (Nidologist, III. 1896*7, 76.) A southern spe- 
cies rarely coming so far north as Colorado. The above record 
of “resident” is made not so much from the instance cited, as 
from its general distribution and the fact that it has been found 
breeding in Nebraska near the Colorado line. 
366. Asio wilsonianus. American Long-eared Owl. 
Resident; common. Winters from the plains to 10,000 
feet and breeds from the plains to 11,000. Eggs are laid early 
in April. 
367. Asio accipitrinus. Short-eared Owl. 
Resident; not common. Much less common than the 
Long-eared and nearly confined to the plains. The highest 
record is a little below 8,000 feet. Breeds throughout its range 
in Colorado, but rather more common in summer in northern 
than southern Colorado. Begins laying in April. 
369. Syrnium occidentale. Spotted Owl. 
Resident. There is no reason to doubt the occurrence of 
this species in the State, but its record for Colorado is badly 
mixed. All Colorado records are known to be incorrect except 
the statement by H. G. Smith that C. E. Aiken has taken sev- 
eral Owls of this species. (Auk. III. 1886, 284.) Though the 
correctness of this statement has been challenged, yet Mr. 
Aiken has lately informed the present writer that there can be 
no question of the identification. 
372. Nyctala acadica. Saw-whet Owl. 
Resident; not uncommon. Occurs throughout the State 
below 8,000 feet, but all the records of breeding come from the 
mountains between 7,000 and 8,000 feet. Eggs are laid the 
latter part of May. H. G. Hoskins writes that he found one at 
Beloit, near the Kansas line, April 9, 1894. H. G. Smith 
records three cases in the vicinity of Denver. 
