580 
ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF OUR BIRDS. 
Bubo Virginimius arcticus is a northern form which occurs rarely as a 
winter visitant. Dr. Hoy knew of one of these birds which carried off from 
one farm in the space of a month not less than twenty-seven individuals of 
various kinds of poultry before it was shot. 
, 155. Scops asio (Linn.), Bp. RED OWL; MOTTLED OWL; SCREECH OWL. 
Group III. Class b. 
Common. Resident. It is a frequent visitor to dwellings, but its small size 
renders it harmless to poultry, except when young. It feeds extensively uix)n 
insects, but some of these are diurnal and preyed upon by many other birds. 
Its familiarity, its haunts and its destiaiction of small bii’ds are such that should 
it be found possible for our feathered friends to assume an over-abundance, it 
may be expected to prove very effectual in holding them within proper bounds. 
Food; The stomach of one specimen examined was distended with ten large 
caterpillars and six gi’asshoi^pers, and contained a few small seeds. 
Mice, small birds, crickets and beetles (Wilson). Small birds, mice and insects 
(Cooper). Mice and insects (De Kay). Injurious night-flying moths and beetles, 
small mammals, and occasionally birds (Samuels). Small birds, field-mice and 
moles (Audubon). Golden-winged Woodpecker (Mr. A. Fowler). Mice, beetles 
and vermin; occasionally, when they have young, small birds (Brewer). Nuttall 
mentions finding in a hollow stump which contained a single brood of this 
species several Bluebirds and Song Sparrows. 
156. Asio WiLSONiANus (Less.), Coues. AMERICAN LONG-EARED OWL. 
Group II. Class c. 
This Owl is quite common, and frequents cultivated fields and the vdcinity of 
dwellings at night. During the day it affects groves and woods, where it nests. 
Food; Three out of four specimens examined had their stomachs entirely 
empty; in the fourth there were a few hairs of some mouse. 
Entix’ely small mammals; it is doubtful if they ever attack poultry (Cooper). 
Smaller quadrujteds and birds (De Kay). Chiefly quadmpeds, insects, and, to 
some extent, small birds; Audubon mentions finding the stomach of one stuffed 
with feathers, hairs and bones (Brewer). 
157. Asio accipiterinus (Pall.), Newt. SHORT-EARED OWL. Group II. 
Class c. 
Mr. Nelson speaks of this species as the most abundant Owl in Northeastern 
Illinois, where it arrives in large numbers the first of November, and disperses 
through the state. It frequents marshes and prairies in preference to woodlands, 
and is thus brought especially in contact with field-mice. 
Food; It is said to be an excellent mouser (Wilson). Almost exclusively field- 
mice and hard-winged insects (De Kay), Pellets disgorged by this Owl, and 
found near its nest, consisted of the bones of small quadi'upeds, mixed with hair 
and the wings of beetles (Audubon). 
158. Strix cinerea, Gm. GREAT GREY OWL. Group HI. Class 11 
While this species is only a winter resident,' its destructiveness to small birds 
unites it closely to agricultural interests even when it is in its summer home. 
Food: Mr. Dali found its food to consist principally of small birds. At one 
time he took from the stomach of one of these birds no less than thirteen crania 
