1908] BIBDS. 21 



365. American Barn Owl (Aluco pratincola) . One adult. This 

 -strange looking creature may be recognized wherever it is seen. 



Geog. Dist. Southern part of the U. S. and Mexico. 

 W. Ya. Dist. Eare in West Virginia. I have never seen this bird 

 alive within this state. 



Nest Builds nest in a tower or in a tree. 



Food Mice and other mammals with a few birds and insects. 



366. American Long-eared Owl (Asio ivilsomanus) . One adult. 

 Geog. Dist. Temperate North America. 



W. Va. Dist. Mr. Doan includes this species in his list of W. 

 Va. birds. 



Nest Generally uses an old crow's, hawk's, or squirrel's nest. 

 Food "This Owl is preeminently a mouser". (Fisher). 



368. Barred Owl (Strix Varia). One adult. 



Geog. Dist. Eastern United States. 



"W. Va. Dist. One of our most common owls. Reported from 

 many sections of the state. Often seen and heard high up in the 

 mountains. 



Nest Usually in a hollow tree. 



Food "Of 109 stomachs 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; 9, crawfish; and 20 were empty'' 

 (Fisher). 



372. Saw- whet Owl (Glaux acadicus}. This fine little specimen 

 should be carefully noted. It has no " horns" as the Screech Owl 

 lias. 



Geog. Dist. North America at large. 



W. Va. Dist. Found within this state only in the winter season. 

 I have heard, two or more times, of the occurrence of this little 

 owl in West Virginia, but I have never taken it. 



Nest Lays three to five eggs in a hole in a tree or in a deserted 

 woodpecker's or squirrel's nest. Breeds from northern New York 

 northward. 



Food "Of 22 stomachs examined, 17 contained mice "(Fisher). 



373. Screech Owl (Otus asio). Two specimens showing the 

 mysterious "red phase" and "grey phase" of this familiar little 

 owl. Both phases are some times represented in the same brooc 1 . 

 These color phases are not dependent upon age, sex, or season. 



