129 



rather than deeper water where they would have to depend upon chance 

 aurface-frequenting fish. In the Great Lakes region the species is growing 

 rarer. Its great bulky nest is added to year after year until it assumes 

 such proportions that it becomes a landmark for the country around and 

 invites constant attack from human nest-robbers, so that it is now only 

 in the more retired localities that it can breed undisturbed. It is still 

 numerous along the Atlantic coast and gulf of St. Lawrence, but inland 

 it is rare. 



Economic Status. Though the food of the Osprey is entirely fish 

 the antipathy that fishermen have for it is rather exaggerated. Feeding 

 as it does in shallow waters it takes few fish of economic importance. 

 On the coast, flounders, torn cod, and other small species form the bulk 

 of its food. On the freshwater lakes, sun-fish, perch, and suckers seem 

 to be its staples. The number of game or marketable fish it catches is 

 undoubtedly small. In eleven stomach examinations there were none. 

 Trout streams are not attractive to the species and most of the valuable 

 fish like bass and pickerel usually lie too deep for it to catch. 



SUBORDER— STRIGES. NOCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. OWLS. 



The Owls are easily recognized. The cere hidden in the feathers of 

 the face, and the striking facial disks or feather rings about the eyes (Figure 

 34, p. 24) are distinctive to the most casual observer. They are mostly 

 nocturnal, the Hawk Owl and the Snowy Owl being the only eastern 

 Canadian species that habitually hunt in daytime. Even the nocturnal 

 owls, however, see quite well by day. They may be momentarily dazed 

 when brought suddenly from dark to bright light and some species repose 

 such confidence in immobility to escape detection as to allow themselves 

 almost to be caught in the hand. The feathers are a most interesting 

 character in owls. They are peculiarly soft and cling together in a way 

 that keeps the air from passing through the small interstices and ensures 

 the silent flight characteristic of the suborder. An Owl can pass so closely 

 as to fan the face with its wing and yet be inaudible. 



Two families are represented in Canada: AluconidcB the Barn Owls, 

 represented by one species which is an accidental visitor from the south; 

 and StrigidcB known as the Eared or Horned Owls, though many of them 

 are without these ornaments, including all the other Canadian species. 



FAMILY — ALUCONID^. BARN OWLS. 



The Barn Owls, sometimes called the Monkey-faced Owls from the 

 heart-shaped character of the united facial disks, are represented in Canada 

 by only one species and that species is rare. The middle claw is pectinated, 

 having comb-like teeth on its inner edge like the Herons (Figure 19, p. 21) 

 and the inner toe is as long as the middle instead of being slightly shorter 

 as in the Horned Owls. 



365. American Barn Owl, monkfy-faced owl. Altico pratincola. L, 18. 

 General ground colour a reddish ochre, lighter below, facial disk dull white with an 

 outer edging of darker ochre to brown. Back to top of head frosted over with ash-grey 

 with numerous small eye spots outlined m black. Underparts, throat, and around face 

 sprinkled with scattered round dark spots. 



