BIRDS OF PREY 



367- Short-eared Owl. Asio flammeus. 



Range. — Whole of North America, breeding 

 from the middle portions of the United States 

 northward, and wintering in the United States. 



White 



This species is of the size of the last, but is 

 paler, has very short ear tufts, and is streaked 

 beneath. Its habits are the same except that it 

 frequently hunts, over the marshes and mead- Short-eared Owl 



ows, on dark days and towards dusk. 



Their four to seven pure white eggs are laid upon the ground in marshy 

 places, sometimes upon a lining of sticks and weeds, and are generally under a 

 bush, or close to an old log. Size of eggs 1.55 x 1.25. 



:$68. Barred Owl. Stria varia varia. 



Range. — Eastern North America, from 

 the British Provinces, southward; west to 

 the Rockies. 



This species is the most common of 

 the large owls, and can be distinguished 

 by its mottled and barred gray and white 

 plumage, and lack of ear tufts; length 20 

 inches. It is t lie bird commonly meant 

 by the term "hoot owl", ana being strictly 



White 



nocturnal, is rarely seen flying in the day time, 

 unless disturbed from its roosting place in the 

 deep woods. Its food consists chiefly of rats, 

 mice and frogs, and sometimes, but not often. 

 poultry. It nests in the heart of large woods, 

 generally in hollows of large trees, and less 

 often in deserted Crow's nests. They lay from 

 two to tour pure white eggs, averaging con 



siderablj smaller than those of the Cre.it Horn 



eo" Owl; size 1.95 \ 1.65. 



368a. Florida Barred Owl. 

 Shi.r varia alleni. 



Range. — Florida and the Culf States; north 



to South Carolina, 



229 



Barreil ' >wl 





