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rather than deeper water where they would have to depend upon chance 
surface-frequenting fish. In the Great Lakes region the species is growing 
rarer. Its great bulky nest is added to year after year until it assumes 
such proportions that it becomes a landmark for the country around and 
invites constant attack from human nest-robbers, so that it is now only 
in the more retired localities that it can breed undisturbed. It is still 
numerous along the Atlantic coast and gulf of St. Lawrence, but inland 
it is rare. 
Economic Status. Though the food of the Osprey is entirely fish 
the antipathy that fishermen have for it is rather exaggerated. Feeding 
as it does in shallow waters it takes few fish of economic importance. 
On the coast, flounders, tom cod, and other small species form the bulk 
of its food. On the freshwater lakes, sun-fish, perch, and suckers seem 
to be its staples. The number of game or marketable fish it catches is 
undoubtedly small. In eleven stomach examinations there were none. 
Trout streams are not attractive to the species and most of the valuable 
fish like bass and pickerel usually lie too deep for it to catch. 
SUBORDER—STRIGES. NOCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. OWLS. 
The Owls are easily recognized. The cere hidden in the feathers of 
the face, and the striking facial disks or feather rings about the eyes (Figure 
34, p. 24) are distinctive to the most casual observer. They are mostly 
nocturnal, the Hawk Owl and the Snowy Owl being the only eastern 
Canadian species that habitually hunt in daytime. Even the nocturnal 
owls, however, see quite well by day. They may be momentarily dazed 
when brought suddenly from dark to bright light and some species repose 
such confidence in immobility to escape detection as to allow themselves 
almost to be caught in the hand. The feathers are a most interesting 
character in owls. They are peculiarly soft and cling together in a way 
that keeps the air from passing through the small interstices and ensures 
the silent flight characteristic of the suborder. An Owl can pass so closely 
as to fan the face with its wing and yet be inaudible. 
Two families are represented in Canada: Aluconide the Barn Owls, 
represented by one species which is an accidental visitor from the south; 
and Strigide known as the Eared or Horned Owls, though many of them 
are without these ornaments, including all the other Canadian species. 
FAMILY—ALUCONIDA. BARN OWLS. 
The Barn Owls, sometimes called the Monkey-faced Owls from the 
heart-shaped character of the united facial disks, are represented in Canada 
by only one species and that species israre. The middle claw is pectinated, 
having comb-like teeth on its inner edge like the Herons (Figure 19, p. 21) 
and the inner toe is as long as the middle instead of being slightly shorter 
as in the Horned Owls. 
365. American Barn Owl. MONKEY-FACED oOwL. Aluco pratincola. L, 18. 
General ground colour a reddish ochre, lighter below, facial disk dull white with an 
outer edging of darker ochre to brown. Back to top of head frosted over with ash-grey 
with numerous small eye spots outlined in black. Underparts, throat, and around face 
sprinkled with scattered round dark spots. 
