BIRDS OF THE CAMBRIDGE REGION. 1 97 



95. Syrnium varium (Barton). 

 Barred Owl. 



Rare permanent resident, sometimes common in late autumn. 



Coming, no doubt, in migratory flights from further north and appearing 

 at irregular intervals, the Barred Owl is sometimes common in the Cambridge 

 Region for weeks at a time in late autumn, especially during the latter part of 

 November and the first half of December. In November, 1866, I took three 

 specimens 1 in the course of a single week in the Pine Swamp — then a favorite 

 resort for birds of prey. I also used to meet with the species rather frequently 

 in the cedar and pitch pine woods just to the westward of Mount Auburn, as 

 well as occasionally in the more remote and extensive woodlands of Belmont, 

 Arhngton and Waltham, where Barred Owls continue to be found at the pres- 

 ent day. Most of the birds which visit us in November, and December dis- 

 appear before the first of January. Many of them, no doubt, are killed, but 

 the majority probably pass further south ; a few, however, often remain until 

 early spring. They sometimes appear close to houses in densely populated 

 localities, even in the very heart of Cambridge. One spent the greater part of 

 the winter of 1 899-1900 in Norton's Woods. Mr. Faxon, who had this bird 

 under close observation from January 31 to February 10, tells me that the pel- 

 lets found beneath the large white pines where it roosted during the day, were 

 composed almost wholly of the undigested remains of English Sparrows. I can- 

 not learn that the Barred Owl has ever been found breeding in the Cambridge 

 Region, but I have an adult female ^ which was shot in Belmont on May 2, 1893. 



96. Scotiaptex nebulosa (Forst.). 

 Great Gray Owl. 



Very rare winter visitor. 



The Great Gray Owl appears in eastern Massachusetts only at long and 



1 One bird, no. 275, collection of William Brewster. 

 SNo. 44,914, collection of William Brewster. 



