368. Syrnium varium 
BARRED OWL. 20 inches 
Adult. Above brown barred with white. Below whitish barred 
with brown, streaked on belly ; facial disk gray ; 20 ear-tufts ; bill 
yellow ; feet and legs feathered. Found in wild, thick woods and 
swamps ; also called Hoot Ow/. It hunts at night, feeding on small 
birds, snakes and mammals. 
Note. “A deep, guttural whoo'-whoo', repeatedly uttered. Some- 
times responds when its cries are imitated ” 
Nest. Ina hollow tree or in an old hawk’s nest. 
Breeds. Throughout, in isolated woods. 
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