OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 197 



incubation is necessarily delayed until later in the season, 

 particularly is this the case where the birds have been 

 repeatedly interfered with. The instinct to propagate is so 

 strong, that all efforts to annihilate it are utterly hopeless 

 and fruitless. The birds will often triumph over the most 

 insuperable difficulties, or die in their effort. 



The eggs are elliptical-ovoid in figure, and of a bluish 

 white color in unblown specimens, but when blown, ulti- 

 mately assume a uniform dull white. They measure 1.54 

 inches in length, and 1.21 in breadth. In size, they vary ac- 

 cording to locality. The smallest egg recorded, measures 

 i. 50 by 1.22 inches, and was procured by Mr. Macfarlane ; 

 and the largest, measures 1.60 inches in length, and 1.30 in 

 width, and was obtained at Fort Simpson, by Mr. B. R. 

 Ross. European specimens measure 1.55 by 1.30 inches. 

 The last three measurements are given by Dr. Brewer in the 

 work entitled "North American Birds." 



Syrnium nebulosum, Bole. 



The Barred Owl has a quite extended range from Texas 

 on the south, to the 5oth parallel of north latitude, and west 

 to Minnesota, and probably beyond. In the northern parts 

 of America, it is somewhat rare, since it was not encoun- 

 tered by Richardson in the fur countries ; w r hile in our South- 

 ern States, it is more plentiful than elsewhere. It has never 

 been observed along the Pacific coast, and, doubtless, never 

 west of the great central mountain range. In Northern Eu- 

 rope it is accidental. According to Mr. Audubon who has 

 closely observed its habits, it is more numerous in Louisiana 

 than in any other Southern State. In the wooded regions 

 of Texas and New Mexico, and in the Indian Territory 

 along the borders of streams and ponds, it is rather a com- 

 mon species, according to Dr. Woodhouse. Mr. J. A. Allen 

 found it to be the most common species of Owl in Florida, 

 where its most ludicrous cries are heard at night, and some- 

 times during the day. Dresser gives it as a common species 



