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.