131 
marshes or along their brushy edges, a great number annually fall under 
the guns of sportsmen. 
Economic Status. Of 97 stomachs examined, 11 contained small 
birds; 77, mice; 7, other mammals; and 7, insects. From this record 
and from the fact that the marsh edges, waste patches, and fence rows 
which this species haunts, are the reservoirs from which small rodent pests 
spread over cleanly cultivated land, it is evident that this is a most 
useful species and that killing it is reducing one of the most efficient checks 
upon innumerable pests. 
368. Barred Owl. FR.—LA CHOUETTE DU CANADA. Sirix varia. L, 20. Plate 
Distinctions. It is almost impossible to mistake this owl. The only other hornless 
owl at all resembling it is the Great Grey Owl. The Barred Owl can be differentiated by 
its smaller size, black instead of yellow eyes, and by the well-defined striping and barring 
below. This and the Barn Owl are the only owls with black eyes. 
Field Marks. Size, absence of ear tufts, and general grey-brown colour with bars 
on the breast. 
Nesting. In hollow trees or in deserted crows’ nests or hawks’ nests. 
Distribution. Eastern North America from the edge of settlement south to Kansas 
and Georgia. 
SUBSPECIES. There are several subspecies of the Barred Owl, two of which occur 
_ anads. The form found throughout eastern Canada is the type, the Eastern Barred 
wl. 
Though apparently a fairly large bird the Barred Owl when stripped of 
its feathers is comparatively small. Added to this it is a bird of gentle 
nature and lacks the keen aggressiveness of some of its relatives. Its notes 
are loud, the wierd hooting carrying far in the still night air. 
Economic Status. Though fowls have been known to roost repeatedly 
without harm in trees from which Barred Owls hooted every night, it is 
usually regarded as an enemy and killed indiscriminately. Of 189 sto- 
machs examined, 5 contained poultry or game; 13, other birds; 46, mice; 
18, other mammals; 4, frogs; 1, a lizard; 2, fish; 14, insects; 2, spiders; 
and 9, crawfish. The fowls, only two cases, can be regarded as accidental 
as they were both taken in January, when they would ordinarily be full 
grown and beyond the powers of this weak owl to kill. The status of this 
bird is most satisfactory. 
370. Cinereous Owl. GREAT GREY OWL. FR.—LA CHOUETTE CENDREE. Scotiaptex 
nebulosa. 1, 27. Of much the same general grey tone as the Barred Owl, but considerably 
larger than that bird. 
Distinctions. By measurement and in appearance the largest of our owls, but when 
stripped of its great abundance of soft feathers a surprisingly small bird. Like the Barred 
Owl in general coloration and lack of horns; but with yellow instead of black eyes and 
having the coloration of the breast and underparts diffused and without a defined pattern 
of stripes and bars. 
Field Marks. Size, grey coloration, and lack of breast bars. 
Nesting. In trees. 
Distribution. The forest of the north across the continent; an occasional winter 
migrant within the bounds of cultivation. 
SUBSPECIES. The Cinereous Owl occurs in the northern parts of both the New 
and Old Worlds, but is répresented in each by distinct subspecies. The European form is 
the Lapp Owl S. n. lapponica, and the American is the Great Grey Owl, the type race. 
This owl is only an occasional visitor in the settled parts of Canada. 
