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Range (Eastern North America) (V)

Eastern North America; northward to Labrador and southward to Costa Rica; resident throughout its range.

Washington, rare P. R. Sing Sing, tolerably common P. R. Cambridge, occasional at all seasons.

Nest, generally in an old Crow's, Hawk's, or Squirrel's nest. Eggs, two to three, 2.20 x 1.80.

OWLS.

This "tiger among birds" is an inhabitant of heavily forested regions, and is common therefore only in the wilder, less settled portions of our country. It is the only one of our resident Owls which destroys poultry and birds in any numbers, but, in spite of its frequent visits to the farmyard, Dr. Fisher considers that in many localities it is a "beneficial species" because of its great fondness for rabbits. Its usual call is a loud, deep-toned whōō, hoo-hoo-hoo, whōōō, whōōō. The syllables are all on the same note, and bear some resemblance to a bass-voiced dog barking in the distance.

A much rarer call is a loud, piercing scream, one of the most bloodcurdling sounds I have ever heard in the woods. "Of 127 stomachs examined, 31 contained poultry or game birds; 8, other birds; 13, mice; 65, other mammals; 1, a scorpion; 1, fish; 10, insects, and 17 were empty" (Fisher). 375a. B. v. subarcticus (Hoy). WESTERN HORNED OWL.-Similar to the preceding, but much lighter in color, the ochraceous-buff markings largely replaced by gray or white.

Range.-Western United States, east casually to Wisconsin and Illinois. 375c. Β. v. saturatus Ridgw. DUSKY HORNED OWL.-Similar to B. virginianus, but much darker, the prevailing color fuscous or dusky.