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Remarks (Its small size and absence)

Its small size and absence of ears at once distinguish this species from any Owl of eastern North America except N. t. richardsoni, from which it may be known by its lighter color, streaked instead of spotted head, and unbarred legs and feet.

Range.-North America; breeds from northern New York northward, and migrates southward in winter as far as Virginia.

Washington, rare W. V., Oct. to Mch. Sing Sing, rather rare W. V., Oct. 28 to Jan. 13. Cambridge, not uncommon W. V., Nov. to Mch. Nest, in a hole in a tree; frequently a Woodpecker's, sometimes a Squirrel's deserted nest. Eggs, three to five, 1.19 × 1.00. "The species is not migratory, but is more or less of an irregular wanderer in its search for food during the fall and winter. It may be quite common in a locality and then not be seen again for several years. It is nocturnal, seldom moving about in the daytime, but passing the time in sleeping in some dark retreat. So soundly does it sleep that oftentimes it may be captured alive. .. "During the day it frequents the thick evergreen woods, though sometimes it is found in comparatively open groves, but always in dense trees. "The note of this species is peculiar and has a rasping character, resembling the sound made when a large-toothed saw is being filed; hence the name. It is more often heard during March and early April, though occasionally it is heard at other times of the year. "The flight resembles that of the Woodcock very closely-so much so, in fact, that the writer once killed a specimen as it was flying over the alders, and not until the dog pointed the dead bird was he aware of his mistake. ... "Of 22 stomachs examined, 17 contained mice; 1, a bird; 1, an insect; and 3 were empty" (Fisher). 373. Megascops asio (Linn.). SCREECH OWL. Ad., rufous phase.- Size small; ear-tufts conspicuous, about an inch in length; upper parts bright rufous, finely streaked with black; under parts white, the feathers centrally streaked with black and irregularly barred with rufous; toes rather scantily feathered; eyes yellow. Gray phase. - Upper parts generally brownish gray, streaked with black and finely mottled with ochraceous-buff; under parts white, finely streaked and more finely and irregularly barred with black, more or less bordered by rufous. Young. -Entire plumage regularly barred with grayish or rufous and white. L., 9.40: W., 6·40; T., 3.09; B., 63.