HORNED OWLS, ETC.: LONG-EARED OWL 
333 
Carlsbajl Bird Reserve, January, 1915 (Willett); at Mesquite, February 8, 1914 
(Archer); in the southern part of the State, February 8, 1915; [and in the winter of 
1916-17 (Ligon).] 
On the return in the spring, it was taken near Mesilla Park March 3, 1903 (Ford); 
noted on the boundary a hundred miles west of El Paso, April 22, 1892 (Mearns); 
and near Apache, April 30, 1886 (Anthony).—W. W. Cooke. 
Courtesy of Bird-Lore; photograph by H. W. Nash 
Fig. 54. Long-eared Owl 
Terrifying the enemy 
Ne3T. —Generally in forest or woodland in conifers, in various protecting hollows, 
10 to 30 feet from the ground, but also in deserted nests of other birds—hawks, crows, 
magpies, or herons, and sometimes in wood rat houses; lined with grass, dead leaves, 
and feathers. Eggs: Generally 4 or 5, white. 
Food. —Mainly small rodents, as mice, squirrels, gophers, but also frogs, a few 
birds, and many beetles, especially wood borers, destructive to fruit and forest trees. 
In 225 pellets, bones of 187 small mammals (mostly mice) were found (Wetmore). 
“It does an ernormous amount of good” but is one of the greatest sufferers when 
bounties are paid for the destruction of birds of prey (Fisher, 1907, p. 11). 
General Habits. —The first Long-eared Owl seen at Santa Fe by 
Mr. Jensen, came soaring over the Indian School campus and landed 
on a box in his chicken yard. About twenty Indian youngsters saw 
it and quickly gathered at the spot, trying to kill the “ ghost.” The 
previous winter had been a great owl winter, the Western Great Horned, 
