234 



llio luiimlar idea is tliiil owls, largo and siiiall. \)vv\ 

 only on ]ioultry and ijauio. 



MICK AND SMALL, GAME. 



\\'ilson sa.vs. nltlionjili niioo and small sjanu' avc tho 

 niosl usual food of IJanod Owls, thoy sonnMinios soi/.c 

 on fowls, partridtfos and yonnit' rabbits. 



"Tho Harrod Owl subsists principally upon small 

 birds. Held mice and rc))tilcs. Ho is frequently seen, 

 in early twlis^ht, tlyiu};' over low meadow lands, searcli- 

 iiiir for Ihe mice tliat dwell tluM-e; be usually takes a, 

 diivcl couisi'. and someliines flies so low that ihe tips 

 of his wiuijs seem lo lou.'li the liTass. W hen lie dis- 

 covers his prey be drops on it instantly, foldinij bis 

 winjis and i»rotrndinji' bis feet, in which bis iiuarry is 

 always s(>eui'ed; be often captures frogs that art^ sit- 

 ting on I 111' sliores O'f ponds and rivers: but I am in 

 (lined lo lliiiik that tbe statement, quoted by .Vudulxm, 

 that he ofli u eatclies tish. is inc(n'rect." — S'anuiels. 



KKKP.-^ I'N FISHKS. 

 .la r.aiieil Owl a loral v.wv is o.ve.'ed 

 ml alionl Ihe alinosi iiupenelralile swamps 

 limber, d regions along the St. John's river, 

 r of 18So, T was iiifoi-nu'd by two residents 

 both genllemen whom I consider tiior-t 

 woiihN. ihai ihis owl troqnently preys on 

 I secures, while silling close to tbe water's 

 extrous movement of Ihe foot. The stom- 

 ach contents of live of these Florida Owls, which T .>x 

 aniined, consisted only of the remains of small birds 

 and coleopremns insects. 



deferring lo Ihis species. Xuttall says: Tiieir food 



