SHORT-EAKED OWL. 



226 



mon species in Ontario, l)ut, tidin its letiring habits, it may be more 

 so than we are aware. Tliose ()l)served near Hamilton have been 

 found in the fall, the season when birds of all kinds wander away 

 from their summei- lesort, befoi'e retiring south to spend the winter. 

 Along the sea coast it is more cc^nmon, and in New England resides 

 throughout the year. That it breeds in Ontario is vouched for by 

 Mr. Robert Elliot, who found a nest near his home at Bryanston 

 during the summer of 1886. 



It is reported a tolerably connnon summer resident in ^Manitoba, 

 and is also plentiful in the Saskatchewan and Hudson's Bay districts. 

 It is one of the best of the farmers' feathered friends, consuming 

 immense numbers of rats, mice, moles, beetles, etc. 



We find it placed in Class h, with a lialance of good work at its 

 <-redit, which entitles it to our protection. 



ASTO ACCIPTTRINUS (Pall.). 

 159. Short-eared Owl. (367) 



Fulvous or l)uffy -blown, paler or wliitey-brown below ; brea.st and upper 

 parts, broadly and thickly streaked with dark brown ; belly, usually sparsely 

 streaked with the same, l>ut not barred crosswise ; quills and tail, buff, with 

 few dark bands and mottling ; facial area, legs, and crissum, pale, unmarked ; 

 .eye-pat«h, blackish ; ear-tufts, of from 3 to 6 feathers. Size of vi/sonianvs. 



Hab. — Throughout North Anierica ; nearly cosmopolitan. 



Nest, on the ground, consisting of a few sticks, blades of grass and feather.s, 

 "loosely thrown togethei-. 



Kggs, four to six. white, nearly round. 



This is a much more common species than the preceding, and 

 probably more northern in its range. I have reports of its occur- 

 rence at different points throughout Ontario, and it was observed in 

 the North- West by Prof. Macoun. It is less nocturnal in its habits 

 than the preceding, and is somewhat gregarious, being occasionally 

 seen during the day in the fall, in flocks of ten or twelve, hunting 

 in company. It has not been ray fortune to fall in with any of 

 these migratory groups, but I have observed the species skimming 

 noiselessly over the inlets and moist meadows along the shores of 

 Hamilton Bay. 



It is a most expert mouser, destroying large numbers oi the 

 farmers' foes, and is, therefore, entitled to his protection : but all 

 15 



