366. LONG-EARED OWL. _Asio wilsonianus._

Range.--North America, breeding from the southern parts of British
America, southward.

This species is 15 inches in length; it can easily be separated from any
other species by its long ear tufts, brownish face, and barred
underparts. Their food consists almost entirely of small rodents, which
they catch at night. Most of their nests are found in trees, they
generally using old Crow's or Hawk's nests. They also, in some
localities, nest in hollow trees, or in crevices among rocks. They lay
from four to seven pure white eggs; size 1.55 x 1.35.

[Illustration 229: White.]
[Illustration: Barn Owl.]
[Illustration: Long-eared Owl.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 228

[Illustration 230: L. S. Horton.
LONG-EARED OWL ON NEST.]

Page 229

367. SHORT-EARED OWL. _Asio flammeus._

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding from the middle portions of the
United States northward, and wintering in the United States.

This species is of the size of the last, but is paler, has very short
ear tufts, and is streaked beneath. Its habits are the same except that
it frequently hunts, over the marshes and meadows, on dark days and
towards dusk.

Their four to seven pure white eggs are laid upon the ground in marshy
places, sometimes upon a lining of sticks and weeds, and are generally
under a bush, or close to an old log. Size of eggs 1.55 x 1.25.

368. BARRED OWL. _Strix varia varia._

Range.--Eastern North America, from the British Provinces, southward;
west to the Rockies.

This species is the most common of the large owls, and can be
distinguished by its mottled and barred gray and white plumage, and lack
of ear tufts; length 20 inches. It is the bird commonly meant by the
term "hoot owl", and being strictly nocturnal, is rarely seen flying in
the day time, unless disturbed from its roosting place in the deep
woods. Its food consists chiefly of rats, mice and frogs, and sometimes,
but not often, poultry. It nests in the heart of large woods, generally
in hollows of large trees, and less often in deserted Crow's nests. They
lay from two to four pure white eggs, averaging considerably smaller
than those of the Great Horned Owl; size 1.95 x 1.65.

368a. FLORIDA BARRED OWL. _Strix varia alleni._

Range.--Florida and the Gulf States; north to South Carolina.

[Illustration 231: Short-eared Owl.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: Barred