48 
OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION: BULLETIN 250 
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, Coccyzus erythrophthalmus ( Wils .) 
This species is not so well known as the preceding'and is, with¬ 
out doubt, frequently mistaken for it. As a migrant, it appears to be 
fairly common and occurs to some extent as a summer resident, at 
least in the northern part of the state. The food habits of the two 
species are identical. This species may be known from the preced¬ 
ing by its slightly smaller size, absence of rufous (rust-red) in the 
wings, and likewise absence of black in the tail and of yellow on the 
lower mandible. 
OWLS 
The Owls have always been regarded with more or less super¬ 
stition because ot their weird cries, not unlike the human voice, and 
their association with darkness. They are the nocturnal birds of 
prey and are of even greater importance to agricultural interests than 
the Hawks, as a greater percentage of their food consists of small 
mammals, the majority of which inflict their damage under cover 
of darkness. With few exceptions, they are woodland dwellers. 
The flight of these birds is noiseless and graceful. 
BARN OWL, Aluco pratincola (Bonap.) 
In the southern part of the state and locally, this Owl is more or 
less common. It is much larger than the Screech Owl and may 
readily be distinguished by its monkey-like face and lack of ear- 
tufts. Its days are passed in retirement in barns or other buildings, 
and here it also nests. The food consists almost wholly of mice and 
rats; one of these birds will destroy more of these destructive 
rodents than a dozen cats. Poultry or birds are rarely, if ever, 
taken. This species not infrequently nests in dove-cotes or boxes 
placed high up near the ridge of the barn roof. There should bean 
opening in such boxes, communicating with the outside. Access to 
the inside of the barn should also be provided, that mice and rats 
may be destroyed. Because of its choice of abode and the char¬ 
acter of its food, it is of greater economic value, individually consid¬ 
ered, than any other of the Raptors and should receive the fullest 
protection. 
SCREECH OWL, Otus ast'o asio (Linn.) 
This little Owl is our most common species; the smallest of the 
family, with prominent ear-tufts and is the Great Horned Owl.in 
miniature. There are two color phases—the red and gray—the 
cause of which is not understood, but neither sex nor age seems to 
have any influence in determining it, since both phases appear 
in the same brood, even when the parents are of the same color. 
