The Bird Book Part 47

373. SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio asio._

Range.--North America, east of the plains and from the southern British Provinces to Florida.

This well known species, which is often called "Little Horned Owl"

because of its ear tufts is found either in the type form of some of its varieties in all parts of the United States. They have two color phases, the plumage being either a yellowish brown or gray, and black and white; these color phases are not dependent upon s.e.x or locality, as often young or both phases are found in the same nest; the gray phase is the most abundant. They nest anywhere in hollow trees, being found very frequently in decayed stubs of apple trees. They also often nest in barns or other old buildings which are not frequented too freely. Their food consists chiefly of mice and meadow moles, with occasionally small birds. During April or May they lay their white eggs, the full complement of which is from five to eight. Size 1.35 1.20. The nesting habits of all the sub-species, as far as we can learn, are exactly like those of the eastern Screech Owl; the eggs cannot be distinguished, and in most cases, even the birds cannot be distinguished.

373a. FLORIDA SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio florida.n.u.s._

Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Slightly smaller and darker than asio. The eggs average slightly smaller. Size 1.30 1.15.

373b. Texas Screech Owl. _Otus asio mccalli._

Range.--Texas, and southward into Mexico. Very similar to florida.n.u.s.

373c. CALIFORNIA SCREECH OWL. _Otus as...o...b..ndirei._

Range.--Coast of California and Oregon. Size of, but darker than asio.

373d. KENNICOTT'S SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio kennicotti._

Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska. This is the darkest of the Screech Owls and averages a trifle larger than the eastern form.

373e. ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio maxwelliae._

Range.--Foothills of the Rockies, from Colorado to Montana. This is the palest form of the Screech Owl. Of the same size as the last.

[Ill.u.s.tration 235: White.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Screech Owl.]

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373f. Mexican Screech Owl. _Otus asio cineraceus._

Range.--Western Mexico and southwestern border of the United States. A gray form with little or no buff, and more numerously barred below.

373g. AIKEN'S SCREECH Owl. _Otus asio aikeni._

Range.--El Paso County, Colorado. A gray form, with the dark markings coa.r.s.er and more numerous than in any other.

373h. MACFARLANE'S SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio macfarlanei._

Range.--Northern border of the United States from Washington to Montana.

373.1. Spotted Screech Owl. _Otus trichopsis._

Range.--Mountains of southern Arizona, south into Mexico.

A grayish species, similar to asio, but paler and more finely barred beneath, and with whitish spots on the feathers of the foreback. The nesting habits and eggs are probably the same as those of the Screech Owl.

373.2. XANTUS'S SCREECH OWL. _Otus xantusi._

Range.--Southern Lower California.

A grayish species with the back and underparts finely vermiculated with reddish brown, and with streaks of darker. It is not likely that the habits or eggs of this species will be found to differ from those of the Screech Owl.

374. FLAMMULATED SCREECH OWL. _Otus flammeolus flammeolus._

Range.--Mountain ranges of Mexico, north to Colorado and west to California.

This species is smaller than asio, has shorter ear tufts, the plumage is much streaked and edged with rusty, and the toes are unfeathered to their base. They nest in hollow trees, generally using deserted Woodp.e.c.k.e.r holes. Their three or four eggs are white. Size 1.15 .95.

This species is uncommon in all parts of its range.

374a. DWARF SCREECH OWL. _Otus flammeolus idahnsis._

Range.--Local in Idaho, eastern Washington and California.

This rare variety is smaller than the preceding and is considerably paler. Its eggs have not been described, but should be a trifle smaller than the last.

[Ill.u.s.tration 236: 374--375a.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: deco.]

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375. GREAT HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginia.n.u.s virginia.n.u.s._

Range.--North America, east of the Plains and north to Labrador.

This species and its varieties are the only large Owls having conspicuous ear tufts. They are about 22 inches in length, and have a mottled brown, black and white plumage, barred below. This is also one of the "Hoot Owls," but is not nearly as abundant as the Barred Owl. It is one of the strongest of the family, and captures rabbits, grouse and poultry, and is very often found to have been feeding upon, or to have been in the immediate vicinity of a skunk. They nest very early, January, February and March. Deserted Hawk's or Crow's nests are very frequently used by this bird, if they are located in dense woods. They also sometimes nest in hollow cavities in large trees. They lay from two to four pure white eggs. Size 2.25 1.85.

375a. Western Horned Owl. _Bubo virginia.n.u.s pallescens._

Range.--Western North America, except the Pacific coast.

A smaller and lighter colored form of the preceding, having the same habits and the eggs being indistinguishable from those of the eastern bird.