HORNED OWLS, HOOT OWLS, ETC. FAMILY STRIGIDÆ
LONG-EARED OWL
Asio wilsonianus. [Case 1], Fig. 17
Distinguished by very long ear-tufts. L. 14¾.
Range. Temperate North America. Winters south to Georgia and Louisiana.
Washington, common P.R. Ossining, common P.R. Cambridge, rare, P.R. but sometimes common in fall and winter. N. Ohio, uncommon P.R. Glen Ellyn, rare, fall records only, Nov. 7-Dec. 14.
An Owl of evergreen clumps and dense growths, where its presence is often betrayed by the litter below of undigested pellets of hair and bones which Owls eject at the mouth. It is not a "hoot" Owl, and even many ornithologists have not heard its notes, which are described as a "soft-toned, slow wu-hunk, wu-hunk, and a low twittering, whistling dicky, dicky, dicky." It is not a hole-inhabiting Owl and like the Great Horned nests in an old Hawk, Crow, or Squirrel nest. Three to six white eggs are laid in April.
SHORT-EARED OWL
Asio flammeus. [Case 1], Fig. 18
The 'ears' are barely evident, the eyes are yellow; underparts streaked. L. 15½.
Range. Found throughout the greater part of the world; migrating southward at the northern part of its North American range.