Species III. STRIX NEBULOSA. 



BARRED OWL. 



[Plate XXXIII. Fig. 2] 



TiiRTON, Syst. 169. — Arct. Zool. p. 234, No. 122. — Lath. 133. — Strix acdamator, 

 the Whooting Owl, Bartram, 289.* 



This is one of our most common Owls. In winter, particularly, it is 

 numerous in the lower parts of Pennsylvania, among the woods that 

 border the extensive meadows of Schuylkill and Delaware. It is very 

 frequently observed flying during day, and certainly sees more distinctly, 

 at that time, than many of its genus. In one spring, at different times, 

 I met with more than forty of them, generally flying, or sitting exposed. 

 I also once met with one of their nests, containing three young, in the 

 crotch of a white oak, among thick foliage. The nest was rudely put 

 together, composed outwardly of sticks, intei-mixed with some dry grass, 

 and leaves, and lined with smaller twigs. At another time, in passing 

 through the woods, I perceived something white, on the high shaded 

 branch of a tree, close to the trunk, that, as I thought, looked like a 

 cat asleep. Unable to satisfy myself, I was induced to fire, when, to 

 my surprise and regret, four young Owls, of this same species, nearly 

 full grown, came down headlong, and fluttering for a few moments, died 

 at my feet. Their nest was probably not far distant. I have also seen 

 the eggs of this species, which are nearly as large as those of a young 

 pullet, but much more globular, and perfectly white. 



These birds sometimes seize on fowls, partridges, and young rabbits ; 

 mice, and small game, are, however, their most usual food. The differ- 

 ence of size between the male and female of this Owl is extraordinary, 

 amounting, sometimes, to nearly eight inches in the length. Both 

 scream during the day like a Hawk. 



The male Barred Owl measures sixteen inches and a half in length, 

 and thirty-eight inches in extent ; upper parts a pale brown, marked 

 with transverse spots of white ; wings barred with alternate bands of 

 pale brown and darker ; head smooth, very large, mottled with trans- 

 verse touches of dark brown, pale brown and white ; eyes large, deep 

 blue, the pupil not perceivable ; face, or radiated circle of the eyes, 

 gray, surrounded by an outline of brown and white dots ; bill yellow, 



* We add the following synonyiues: Slrix nebulosa. Lath. Ind. Orn. p. 58. — 

 Gmel. Syst. I., p. 291. — Temm. Man. d'Orn. i., p. 88. 



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