The author attempts to provide a delineation of species of North and Middle America Otus based on acquaintance with their biological traits in the field, and to show their racial convergence in concealing color patters, as well as to portray the dramatic geographic variation in those evanescent colors and patterns of fresh autumn plumage, in collected specimens. Monographs of the WFVZ Number 1. Illustrated with one color photo and several black and white photos, drawings, and graphs.