aller 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 x .95.
This species is uncommon in all parts of its range.

374a. DWARF SCREECH OWL. _Otus flammeolus idahoensis._

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 x 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