367. Asio flammeus. 16 inches.
About the same size as the preceding, but readily identified from it by the short ear tufts and rounded head, and also lighter color. It is streaked on under parts and not barred. Tail is barred. Their flight is perfectly silent, which aids them in securing their prey of field mice and moles, which they usually get without stopping in their flight, just swooping down, and extending their long legs, armed with wicked little sharp claws, and it is all over with the little rodent, he being carried to a nearby stump and devoured, fur, bones and all.
Nest.—Is usually built upon the ground in marshy places, sometimes of grass and weeds, under some bush or near or under some log or stump. Four to seven pure white eggs (1.55 × 1.25).
SPOTTED OWL.
369. Strix occidentalis. 20 inches.
This is very similar to the Barred Owl of the Eastern and Southern States, but spotted, instead of barred, on the back of the head and neck, and much more extensively barred on the under parts.
GREAT GRAY OWL.
370. Scotiaptex nebulosa. 27 inches.
This owl in appearance is the largest of the family, but it is mostly in feathers, which are long and very fluffy. They do not weigh nearly as much as either the [Horned] or [Snowy Owls]. The plumage is dark gray above, mottled with white, and below is white with heavy streaks of brown. The facial disc is very large, and the eyes are small and yellow, while in the Barred Owl of similar appearance the face is much smaller, the eyes are larger and are bluish black in color.