BARRED OWL 
368. Strix varia. 20 in. 
Eyes dark brown. This is the most abundant of the 
large owls throughout its range. It has no ears. This 
species is the common * hoot owl,” that is the terror of 
small children and many older ones. They are noisy 
birds, and two of them like to get at opposite sides of a_ 
piece of woods and talk to each other. Their notes are 
very variable but are oftenest combinations of * who- 
whos ” and * too-toos,” often ending in a mournful wail. 
They spend the day in slumber, unless routed out of 
the dense trees where they rest, by crows or human 
beings. They are one of the least harmful of the family 
and should be protected. 
Nest.—Usually in hollow trees, but sometimes in old 
crow nests. Eges pure white (1.95x 1.65). 
Range.—Resident in eastern North America. 368a. 
Florida Barred Owl (alleni), is smaller, darker and the 
toes are unfeathered, as are those of 368b, Texas Barred 
Owl, found in southern Texas. 
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