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Range (North America breeds from Nova)

North America; breeds from Nova Scotia and Manitoba southward to the Gulf States. OWLS.

Washington, common P. R. Sing Sing, common P. R. Cambridge, not common P. R.

Nest, generally in an old Crow's, Hawk's, or Squirrel's nest. Eggs, three to six, 1.65 x 1.30. "This species, like the Screech Owl, is nocturnal in its habits, and differs from the Short-eared Owl in never hunting during the daytime. It usually spends the day in some evergreen woods, thick willow copse, or alder swamp, although rarely it may be found in open places. .. "The bird is not wild, and will allow itself to be closely approached. When conscious that its presence is recognized, it sits upright, draws the feathers close to the body, and erects the ear-tufts, resembling in appearance a piece of weather-beaten bark more than a bird. ... "Like the other Owls, its flight is slow and wavering, but in common with them it is buoyant and devoid of any appearance of heavi- The note of this Owl is said by some to resemble the noise made ness. by kittens, while others state it is like the barking of small dogs. "Of 107 stomachs examined, 1 contained a game bird; 15, other birds; 84, mice; 5, other mammals; 1, insects; and 15 were empty" (Fisher). 367. Asio accipitrinus (Pall.). SHORT-EARED OWL. Ad.-Ear-tufts very short, difficult to distinguish in a dried skin; upper parts fuscous, the feathers margined with cream-buff or ochraceous-buff, not mottled with white; tail with ochraceous-buff and fuscous bands of about equal width; under parts varying from whitish to ochraceous-buff, the breast broadly and the belly more finely streaked with fuscous; eyes yellow. L., 15.50; W., 12.75; T., 6.05; B., 1.20.