Jones — On Birds of Cedar Point. 197 



101. Asia fiammeiis. — Shovt-eared Owl. 



It has been oceaf^ioiially s^eeii hawking over the marshes, and 

 more often over fields and meadows at twilight. It appears to be 

 more numerous near the lake shore, where it may be found in win- 

 ter sleeping beneath the overhanging banks which border the lake in 

 many places. Usually more than one bird is thus startled from its 

 hiding place, but I have never seen more than one while it is feed- 

 ing. The latest spring date is March 12, 1898. All other records 

 are strictly winter records. 



102. Strix varia. — Barred Owl. 



This is our commone.'^t large owl, occurring regularly the year 

 through in the larger woods and in the stream gorges. It readily 

 responds to an imitation of its calls, olten coming within easy 

 range. It may occasionally be seen at twilight flying from one 

 woods to another, but is seldom found away from fairly thick 

 woods. I have yet to find a nest outside of a hollow in a tree. In- 

 dividuals which are so foolish as to retire for the day sleep to a 

 leafy tree are almost certain to be rudely awakened and driven 

 about by Blue Jays and Crows, their perpetual enemies. Some- 

 times such individuals ultimately retire to tlje darkness of a hol- 

 low tree, but more olten try to shake off the tormentors by flying 

 from place to place. I have seen them catch rabbits and red squirrels. 



103. Cryptodlaux iicadicus. — Saw-whet Owl. 



One was found in the cedar thickets near the Lake Laboratory, 

 March £0, 1907. This owl is seldom met with, and then in the vi- 

 cinity of the lake shore. Mr. A. Hengartner, of Lorain, told me 

 that he had found it at Oak Point on more than one occasion, but 

 I have never met with such good fortune. I doubt if it is more 

 than casual in the region. 



104. Otus asio. — Screech Owl. 



Common over the whole region, except the smaller islands, all 

 the year. In Okerlin it nests in most of the college buildings to 

 which it can gain ready access, and in many hollow trees and in 

 several barns. One can not get beyond the sound of its voice at 

 night in any of the stream gorges. At least three pairs nested with- 

 in ear-shot of the Lake Laboratory in 1907 and 1908. I have found 

 it on the sand spit wherever there was sufficient cover. 



There is no question that all of the owls thus far listed ai'e of 

 great benefit for the large numbers of rodents which they destroy. 

 The Barred Owl may occasionally eat forbidden flesh, but only when 

 he is driven to it by lack of his usual fare. Rai'ely the Long-eared 

 Owls, when they are in considerable force, may attack poultry or 



