BARRED OWL 



368. Strix varia. 20 in. 



Eyes dark brown. This is the most abundant of the 

 large owls throughout its range. It has no ears. This 

 species is the common " hoot owl," that is the terror of 

 small children and many older ones. They are noisy 

 birds, and two of them like to get at opposite sides of a 

 piece of woods and talk to each other. Their notes are 

 very variable but are oftenest combinations of " who- 

 whos " and u too-toos," often ending in a mournful wail. 

 They spend the day in slumber, unless routed out of 

 the dense trees where they rest, by crows or human 

 beings. They are one of the least harmful of the family 

 and should be protected. 



Nest. Usually in hollow trees, but sometimes in old 

 crow nests. Eggs pure white (1.95x1.65). 



Range. Resident in eastern North America. 368a. 

 Florida Barred Owl ( alleni ) , is smaller, darker and the 

 toes are unfeathered, as are those of 368b, Texas Barred 

 Owl, found in southern Texas. 



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