154 



THE HAWKS AND OWLS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



cautiously appear from beliind tlio trunk, and after a few bewildered 

 glances they beat a precipitate retreat, doubtless very much chagrined 

 at the deception. 



This is one of the most noisy of the Owls, and probably is oftener 

 heard than any other. This is particularly true in the mating sea- 

 son, at which time, in localities where it is abundant, the woods re- 

 sound with its weird but not unpleasant notes from early dusk to morn, 

 and even at intervals during the day. At no time of the year is it 

 altogether quiet, though during the period the young are being cared 

 for it is seldom heard. Years ago in the months of October and No- 

 vember, while camping in the Adirondack wilderness in northern New 

 York, one or more of these birds were heard nearly every evening, and 

 a few times during the day. On one occasion, by imitating their notes, 

 Dr. 0. Hart Merriam brought two or three in close proximity to the 

 camp, but we were unable to secure specimens on account of the 

 darkness. 



The flight is light, easy, rapid', and, as with other Owls, noiseless. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Large size. No ear tufts. General color deep umber-brown and 

 buffy whitish. The phimage everywhere barred transversely except 

 on the belly, where the stripes run lengthwise; bill yellow; eyes brown- 

 black. 



Length: 19 to 24 inches (182 to (51 ()"'""); extent about 10 inches 

 (1108"""); wing 12.50 to 11 inches (317 to 355"""); tail U to 10 inches 

 (228 to 251">">). 



Tuhle .ihowiiu/ the results of examinationft of 109 stomachs of the Burred Owl 

 (Sifrnlnm nebiilosum). 



Locality. 



Date. 



Euulewoo(l,lSr.J Feb. 22, 1886 



AltVi'(R'enter,>J.Y.... Oct. 22, 1886 



Wliitewater, Wis Aug. 30, 1886 



Wasliiunton, D. C Feb. 15 1887 



1)0 1 Mar. 16,1887 



Greensboro, Ala [ Nov. 15, 1887 



Moose River, N. Y ! June 10. 1878 



Poultry 



or game 



birds. 



Sing Sing, N. Y ' Nov. 27, 1882 i Fowl 



Do ' Jan. 21, 1885; 



Do i Mar. 21,1885 



St. Louis.Mo Sprina:, 1885 , 



Eubank, Kv Mar. 21,1887 ! 



Otlifr birds. 



Mamnials). 



Miscellaneous. 



Saw-wliet owl 

 Screecb owl.. . 



Meadow mouse .i 

 Ked squirrel ' 



Shrew 



12 red-backed 

 mice. 



Etiiptv. 

 Do. 



Frog, 8 larvas. 



Spider, grass- 

 hoppers, 

 crickets. 



2 meadow mice 



Meadow 

 rabbit. 



4 meadow mice. 



Screech owl. 



Greensboro. Ala N(,v. 12, 1887 j 



Sandy Sin^uu, Md Apr. 25, 1887 j 



Do ! Jfov.U, 18«7 I 



Do ! Nov.28, 1887 



Do ; Feb. 11,1888 i ' 



Do I Feb. 18.1888 | j Meadow mouse. 



Do I Feb. li», 1888 1 | Rabbit 



Chester County, Pa Dec. 10, 1886 ■ Flying squirrel. 



Do I Dec. 10,1886 | Rabbit 



Empty. 

 Crawtish. 



Empty. 



