distinguished by its mottled and barred gray and white plumage, and lack
of ear tufts; length 20 inches. It is the bird commonly meant by the
term "hoot owl", and being strictly nocturnal, is rarely seen flying in
the day time, unless disturbed from its roosting place in the deep
woods. Its food consists chiefly of rats, mice and frogs, and sometimes,
but not often, poultry. It nests in the heart of large woods, generally
in hollows of large trees, and less often in deserted Crow's nests. They
lay from two to four pure white eggs, averaging considerably smaller
than those of the Great Horned Owl; size 1.95 × 1.65.
368a. FLORIDA BARRED OWL. _Strix varia alleni._
Range.--Florida and the Gulf States; north to South Carolina.
[Illustration 231: Short-eared Owl.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: Barred Owl.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 230
[Illustration 232: Chas. W. Long.
BARRED OWL.]
Page 231
368b. TEXAS BARRED OWL. _Strix varia albogilva._
Range.--Southern Texas.
A very similar but slightly paler variety than the Barred Owl, and with
the toes bare, as in _alleni._ Eggs indistinguishable.
369. SPOTTED OWL. _Strix occidentalis occidentalis._
Range.--Western United States, from southern Oregon and Colorado,
southward.
Similar to the Barred Owl, but spotted, instead of barred, on the back
of head and neck, and much more extensively barred on the under parts.
The nesting habits do not appear to differ in any respect from those of
the eastern Barred Owl, and their eggs, which are from two to four in
number, can not be distinguished from those of the latter species; size
2.05 × 1.80.
369a. NORTHERN SPOTTED Owl. _Strix occidentalis caurina._
Range.--Northwestern United States and British Columbia.
Similar to the preceding, but darker, both above and below; nesting the
same, in hollow trees or in old Hawk's or Crow's nests. Eggs not
distinguishable.
370. Great Gray Owl. _Scotiaptex nebulosa._
Range.--Northern North America; wintering regularly south to the
northern border of the United States and casually farther.
This is the largest of American Owls, being about 26 inches in length;
it does not weigh nearly as much, however, as the Great Horned or Snowy
Owls, its plumage being very light and fluffy, and dark gray in color,
mottled with white. The facial disc is very large, and the eyes are
small and yellow, while those of the Barred Owl are large and blue
black. They nest in heavily wooded districts, building their nests of
sticks, chiefly in pine trees. The two to four white eggs are laid
during May and June; size 2.15 × 1.70.
[Illustration 233: Great Gray Owl.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 232
370a. LAPP OWL. _Scotiaptex nebulosa lapponica._
A paler form of the Great Gray Owl, inhabiting the Arctic regions of the
Old World; accidental on the coast of Alaska. Their nesting habits and
eggs do not differ from those of the American bird.
371. RICHARDSON'S OWL. _Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni._
Range.--Northern North America, breeding north of the United States;
winters south to our border and casually farther.
This is a dark grayish and white bird, 10 inches in length, and without
ear tufts. Breeds commonly in the extensively wooded districts of
British America, chiefly in the northern parts. Their three or four
white eggs are usually at the bottom of a cavity in a tree, but
occasionally the birds build a rude nest of sticks and twigs, lined with
leaves and placed in trees at a moderate height from the ground. Size of
eggs, 1.25 × 1.05.
372. SAW-WHET OWL; ACADIAN OWL. _Cryptoglaux acadica acadica._
Range.--North America, breeding in the northern parts of the United
States and in British America, and south in the Rockies to Mexico;
winters south to the middle portions of the United States.
This small species (length 8 inches) is marked very similarly to the
preceding, but the plumage is brown instead of gray. They normally nest
in hollow trees, generally in deserted Woodpecker holes, in extensively
wooded sections, and usually in mountainous country, especially in the
United States. They have also been known to nest in bird boxes near farm
houses and in old Crow's nests. During April or May, they lay from three
to six white eggs. Size 1.20 × 1.00. They are quiet and chiefly
nocturnal birds, not often seen, and may be found nesting in any of the
northern states.
372a. NORTHWESTERN SAW-WHET OWL. _Cryptoglaux acadica scotiæa._
Range.--A dark variety found on the coast of British Columbia.
[Illustration 234: Richardson's Owl. Saw-whet Owl.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 233
373. SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio asio._
Range.--North America, east of the plains and from the southern British
Provinces to Florida.
This well known species, which is often called "Little Horned Owl"
because of its ear tufts is found either in the type form of some of its
varieties in all parts of the United States. They have two color phases,
the plumage being either a yellowish brown or gray, and black and white;
these color phases are not dependent upon sex or locality, as often
young or both phases are found in the same nest; the gray phase is the
most abundant. They nest anywhere in hollow trees, being found very
frequently in decayed stubs of apple trees. They also often nest in
barns or other old buildings which are not frequented too freely. Their
food consists chiefly of mice and meadow moles, with occasionally small
birds. During April or May they lay their white eggs, the full
complement of which is from five to eight. Size 1.35 × 1.20. The nesting
habits of all the sub-species, as far as we can learn, are exactly like
those of the eastern Screech Owl; the eggs cannot be distinguished, and
in most cases, even the birds cannot be distinguished.
373a. FLORIDA SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio floridanus._
Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
Slightly smaller and darker than asio. The eggs average slightly
smaller. Size 1.30 × 1.15.
373b. Texas Screech Owl. _Otus asio mccalli._
Range.--Texas, and southward into Mexico. Very similar to floridanus.
373c. CALIFORNIA SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio bendirei._
Range.--Coast of California and Oregon. Size of, but darker than asio.
373d. KENNICOTT'S SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio kennicotti._
Range.--Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska. This is the darkest of the
Screech Owls and averages a trifle larger than the eastern form.
373e. ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio maxwelliæ._
Range.--Foothills of the Rockies, from Colorado to Montana. This is the
palest form of the Screech Owl. Of the same size as the last.
[Illustration 235: White.]
[Illustration: Screech Owl.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 234
373f. Mexican Screech Owl. _Otus asio cineraceus._
Range.--Western Mexico and southwestern border of the United States. A
gray form with little or no buff, and more numerously barred below.
373g. AIKEN'S SCREECH Owl. _Otus asio aikeni._
Range.--El Paso County, Colorado. A gray form, with the dark markings
coarser and more numerous than in any other.
373h. MACFARLANE'S SCREECH OWL. _Otus asio macfarlanei._
Range.--Northern border of the United States from Washington to Montana.
373.1. Spotted Screech Owl. _Otus trichopsis._
Range.--Mountains of southern Arizona, south into Mexico.
A grayish species, similar to asio, but paler and more finely barred
beneath, and with whitish spots on the feathers of the foreback. The
nesting habits and eggs are probably the same as those of the Screech
Owl.
373.2. XANTUS'S SCREECH OWL. _Otus xantusi._
Range.--Southern Lower California.
A grayish species with the back and underparts finely vermiculated with
reddish brown, and with streaks of darker. It is not likely that the
habits or eggs of this species will be found to differ from those of the
Screech Owl.
374. FLAMMULATED SCREECH OWL. _Otus flammeolus flammeolus._
Range.--Mountain ranges of Mexico, north to Colorado and west to
California.
This species is smaller than asio, has shorter ear tufts, the plumage is
much streaked and edged with rusty, and the toes are unfeathered to
their base. They nest in hollow trees, generally using deserted
Woodpecker holes. Their three or four eggs are white. Size 1.15 × .95.
This species is uncommon in all parts of its range.
374a. DWARF SCREECH OWL. _Otus flammeolus idahœnsis._
Range.--Local in Idaho, eastern Washington and California.
This rare variety is smaller than the preceding and is considerably
paler. Its eggs have not been described, but should be a trifle smaller
than the last.
[Illustration 236: 374--375a.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 235
375. GREAT HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus virginianus._
Range.--North America, east of the Plains and north to Labrador.
This species and its varieties are the only large Owls having
conspicuous ear tufts. They are about 22 inches in length, and have a
mottled brown, black and white plumage, barred below. This is also one
of the "Hoot Owls," but is not nearly as abundant as the Barred Owl. It
is one of the strongest of the family, and captures rabbits, grouse and
poultry, and is very often found to have been feeding upon, or to have
been in the immediate vicinity of a skunk. They nest very early,
January, February and March. Deserted Hawk's or Crow's nests are very
frequently used by this bird, if they are located in dense woods. They
also sometimes nest in hollow cavities in large trees. They lay from two
to four pure white eggs. Size 2.25 × 1.85.
375a. Western Horned Owl. _Bubo virginianus pallescens._
Range.--Western North America, except the Pacific coast.
A smaller and lighter colored form of the preceding, having the same
habits and the eggs being indistinguishable from those of the eastern
bird.
375b. ARCTIC HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus subarcticus._
Range.--Interior of Arctic America from Hudson Bay to Alaska; south in
winter to the northwestern tier of states.
A very pale colored Horned Owl with little or no buff or brownish in the
plumage, some specimens (very rare) being pure white with only a few
black bars on the back. Their nesting habits are the same and the eggs
do not vary appreciably from those of the eastern Horned Owl.
375c. DUSKY HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus saturatus._
Range.--Pacific coast from California to Alaska.
This is the darkest of the Horned Owls, the extreme case being nearly
black on the back and very dark below. Nesting the same as the Great
Horned Owl.
375d. PACIFIC HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus pacificus._
Range.--California, southward and east to Arizona.
Smaller and darker than the eastern form but not as dark as the last.
Eggs the same as those of the others.
[Illustration 237: White.]
[Illustration: Great Horned Owl.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 236
[Illustration 238: YOUNG SCREECH OWLS.]
Page 237
375e. DWARF HORNED OWL. _Bubo virginianus elachistus._
Range.--Lower California.
This is a similar but darker form of the Horned Owl and is very much
smaller than virginianus. The nesting habits will be the same, but the
eggs may average smaller.
376. Snowy Owl. _Nyctea nyctea._
Range.--Arctic regions, breeding within the Arctic Circle and wintering
to the northern border of the United States and casually farther.
This very beautiful species varies in plumage from pure white, unmarked,
to specimens heavily and broadly barred with blackish brown. It is, next
to the Great Gray Owl, the largest species found in America, being 2
feet in length. Like the Great Horned Owls, they are very strong,
fearless, and rapacious birds, feeding upon hares, squirrels and smaller
mammals, as well as Grouse, Ptarmigan, etc. They nest upon the ground,
on banks or mossy hummocks on the dry portions of marshes, laying from
two to eight eggs, white in color and with a smoother shell than those
of the Great Horned Owl. Size 2.25 × 1.75. Data.--Point Barrow, Alaska,
June 16, 1898. Three eggs laid in a hollow in the moss.
377. European Hawk Owl. _Surnia ulula ulula._
Range.--Northern portion of the Old World; accidental in Alaska.
Similar to the American species, but lighter and more brownish.
[Illustration 239: White.]
[Illustration: Snowy Owl.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 238
377a. HAWK OWL. _Surnia ulula caparoch._
Range.--Northern North America, breeding from the central portions of
British America northward; probably also breeds in the Rocky Mountains
in the northern tier of states and casually farther.
This handsome mottled and barred, gray and black Owl might readily be
mistaken for a Hawk, because of his Hawk-like appearance and long
rounded tail. They are very active birds, especially in the day time,
for they are more diurnal than nocturnal; their food is mostly of small
rodents, and also small birds. They nest either in the tops of large fir
trees, in hollows of stumps, or, in some cases, upon the ground. When in
trees their nests are made of twigs, leaves and weeds, and sometimes
lined with moss and feathers; they lay from three to eight white eggs,
size 1.50 × 1.20. Data.--Labrador, May 3, 1899. Five eggs. Nest in the
top of a dead tree, 15 feet from the ground.
378. BURROWING OWL. _Speotyto cunicularia hypogæa._
Range.--Western North America from the Mississippi Valley west to
California; north to the southern parts of British America and south to
Central America.
These peculiar birds are wholly different in plumage, form and habits
from any other American Owls. They can readily be recognized by their
long, slender and scantily feathered legs. Their plumage is brownish,
spotted with white above, and white, barred with brown below; length 10
inches. They nest, generally in large communities in burrows in the
ground, usually deserted Prairie Dog holes. While generally but a single
pair occupy one burrow, as many as twenty have been found nesting
together. Sometimes the burrows are unlined, and again may have a carpet
of grasses and feathers. Their white eggs generally number from six to
ten; size 1.25 × 1.00. Data.--Sterling, Kans., May 7, 1899. Nest of bits
of dry dung at the end of a deserted Prairie Dog burrow.
[Illustration 240: American Hawk Owl.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 239
378a. FLORIDA BURROWING OWL. _Speotyto cunicularia floridana._
Range.--Local in the interior of Florida.
Like the last, but slightly smaller and paler, and with the tarsus less
feathered. Their habits or eggs do not differ from the preceding.
379. PYGMY OWL. _Glaucidium gnoma gnoma._
Range.--Rocky Mountain region and westward; from British Columbia
southward. These interesting little Owls, which are but seven inches in
length, feed in the day time upon insects, mice and, occasionally, small
birds. They frequent extensively wooded districts, chiefly in the
mountain ranges. They nest in tall trees, generally in deserted
Woodpeckers' holes, laying three or four white eggs during May; size
about 1.00 × .90.
379a. California Pygmy Owl. _Glaucidium gnoma californicum._
Range.--Pacific coast from British Columbia, south through California.
This sub-species is darker and more brownish than the last. It is not an
uncommon bird in California. They nest in the tallest trees along the
ranges, often being found 75 or more feet from the ground. The eggs do
not differ from those of the Pygmy Owl, ranging in size from 1.00 × .85
to 1.20 × .95.
379.1. HOSKIN'S PYGMY OWL. _Glaucidium hoskinsi._
Range.--Southern Lower California.
This species is smaller and more gray than the preceding. It is not
probable that its manners of nesting or eggs differ in any respect from
those of the others of this genus.
[Illustration 241: Burrowing Owl.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 240
380. FERRUGINOUS PYGMY OWL. _Glaucidium phalœnoides._
Range.--Mexico and Central America; north to the Mexican border of the
United States.
This species is of the same size as the last, but is much tinged with
rufous on the upper parts, and the tail is of a bright chestnut brown
color, crossed by about eight bars of black. They nest in hollow
cavities in trees, from ten to forty feet from the ground, laying three
or four glossy white eggs; size 1.10 × .90.
381. ELF OWL. _Micropallas whitneyi._
Range.--Mexico, north to the bordering states.
This odd little bird is the smallest member of the family found in
America, attaining a length of only six inches. In plumage it may be
described as similar to a very small, earless Screech Owl, only with the
pattern of the markings a great deal finer. They are said to be quite
abundant in the table lands of central Mexico and in southern Arizona,
where they build their nests in deserted Woodpeckers' holes, perhaps
most frequently in the giant cactus. It is said to be more nocturnal
than the Pygmy Owls and to feed almost exclusively upon insects. They
lay from three to five eggs having a slight gloss. Size 1.02 × .90.
Data.--Southern Arizona, May 22, 1902. Nest in a deserted Woodpecker
hole. Two eggs.
[Illustration 242: 380--381.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco-photo.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 241
PAROQUETS AND PARROTS. Order XIII. PSITTACI.
Family PSITTACIDAE
382. CAROLINA PAROQUET. _Conuropsis carolinensis._
Range.--Now rare in Florida and along the Gulf coast to Indian
Territory. As late as 1885, the Carolina Paroquets were abundant in the
South Atlantic and Gulf States, but owing to their wanton destruction by
man, they have been exterminated in the greater portion of their range,
and now are rarely seen in any locality, and then only in the most
unhabitable swamps and thickets. A reliable account of their nesting
habits is lacking, as are also specimens of their eggs taken from wild
birds. They are said to build rude nests of sticks upon horizontal
branches of cypress trees, and to nest in colonies; it is also claimed
that they nest in hollow trees, laying from three to five pure white
eggs. The one figured is one of three laid in confinement at Washington,
D. C., by a pair of birds owned by Mr. Robert Ridgeway. It is 1.31 ×
1.06 and was laid July 12, 1892. This set is in the collection of Mr.
John Lewis Childs.
382.1. Thick-billed Parrot. _Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha._
Range.--Mexico, north casually to the Mexican border of the United
States. This large Parrot (16 inches long) has a heavy black bill, and
the plumage is entirely green except for the deep red forehead, strips
over the eye, shoulder, and thighs, and the yellowish under wing
coverts. Their eggs are white and are laid in natural cavities in large
trees in forests.
CUCKOOS, TROGANS, KINGFISHERS, ETC. Order XIV.
CUCKOOS, ANIS, ETC. Family CUCULIDAE
383. ANI. _Crotophaga ani._
Range.--Northeastern South America and the West Indies; casual in
Florida, and along the Gulf coast; accidental in Pennsylvania.
This species is similar to the next, but the bill is smoother and
without grooves. Its nesting habits are the same as those of the more
common American species.
[Illustration 243: White.]
[Illustration: Carolina Paroquet.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 242
[Illustration 244: ROADRUNNER.]
Page 243
384. GROOVE-BILLED ANI. _Crotophaga sulcirostris._
Range.--Mexico and the border of the United States; common in southern
Texas. This odd species has a Cuckoo-like form, but is wholly blue black
in color, and has a high thin bill with three conspicuous longitudinal
grooves on each side. They build large bulky nests of twigs, lined with
leaves and grasses, and located in low trees and bushes. They build in
small colonies but do not, as is claimed of the common Ani, build a
large nest for several to occupy. They lay from three to five eggs of a
greenish blue color, covered with a chalky white deposit. Size 1.25 ×
1.00. They are laid in May or June.
385. ROAD-RUNNER. _Geococcyx californianus._
Range.--Western United States from Oregon, Colorado and Kansas,
southward; most abundant on the Mexican border, and wintering in central
Mexico. This curious species is known as the "Chaparral Cock", "Ground
Cuckoo," "Snake-killer," etc. Its upper parts are a glossy greenish
brown, each feather being edged or fringed with whitish; the tail is
very long, broad and graduated, the feathers being broadly tipped with
white. They are noted for their swiftness on foot, paddling over the
ground at an astonishing rate, aided by their outstretched wings and
spread tail, which act as aeroplanes; their legs are long and have two
toes front and two back. Their food consists of lizards and small
snakes, they being particularly savage in their attacks upon the latter.
They build rude nests of sticks and twigs, in low trees or bushes, and
during April or May, lay from four to ten eggs, depositing them at
intervals of several days. They are pure white and measure 1.55 × 1.20.
[Illustration 245: Greenish blue.]
[Illustration: Road Runner. Groove-billed Ani.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]
Page 244
386. MANGROVE CUCKOO. _Coccyzus minor minor._
Range.--West Indies, Mexico and South America, north regularly to
southern Florida.
This species is very similar to our common Yellow-billed Cuckoo, but the
whole underparts are deep buff. It is a common species and nests
abundantly in the West Indies, but occurs only in limited numbers in
southern Florida. Their nests are shallow platforms of twigs and
rootlets, placed in bushes and low trees, and upon which they lay three
or four pale greenish blue eggs, similar to those of the Yellow-billed
species but averaging smaller; size 1.15 × .85.
386a. MAYNARD'S CUCKOO. _Coccyzus minor maynardi._
Range.--Bahamas; accidental on Florida Keys. This is a slightly smaller
and paler form than the preceding.
387. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. _Coccyzus americanus americanus._
Range.--United States east of the Plains and from southern Canada
southward.
This species is generally abundant in all localities in its range, which
afford suitable nesting places of tangled underbrush or vines. It may be
distinguished from the Black-billed variety by its larger size (12
inches long), blackish tail with broad white tips, and yellowish lower
mandible. They are often regarded by the superstitious as forecasters of
rain, and as omens, probably because of their gutteral croaking notes.
Their nests are made of twigs, lined with shreds of grape vine bark or
catkins; the nests are generally very shabbily made and so flat on the
top that the eggs frequently roll off. They are located near the ground
in bushes or low trees. The three or four eggs are deposited at
intervals of several days, and frequently young birds and eggs are found
in the nest at the same time. Like the Flicker, this bird will
frequently continue laying if one egg is removed at a time, and as many
as twelve have been taken from the same nest, by this means. The eggs
are light greenish blue. Size 1.20 × .90. They are usually laid during
May or June.
[Illustration 246: Mangrove Cuckoo. Yellow-billed Cuckoo.]
[Illustration: Light greenish blue.]
[Illustration: Pale greenish blue.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]
Page 245
[Illustration 247: A. R. Spaid.
NEST AND EGGS OF YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO.]
Page 246
387a. CALIFORNIA CUCKOO. _Coccyzus americanus occidentalis._
Range.--Western North America, from British Columbia, southward.
Slightly larger and with a stouter bill than the last. Eggs not
distinguishable.
388. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. _Coccyzus erythrophthalmus._
Range.--United States east of the Rocky Mountains; north to Labrador and
Manitoba; south in winter to Central and South America.