SPECIES 3. STRIX NEBULOSJ. 



BARRED OWL. 

 [Plate XXXIII. Fig. 2.] 



TURTON, Syst. 169. Arct. Zool. p. 234, JVo. 122. LATH. 133. 

 Strix acclamator, the Wliooting Owl, BARTHAM,289. PEALE'S 

 Museum, No. 464.* 



THIS is one of our most common Owls. In winter, particu- 

 larly, it is numerous in the lower parts of Pennsylvania, among 

 the woods that border the extensive meadows of Schuylkill 

 and Delaware. It is very frequently observed flying during 

 day, and certainly sees more distinctly, at that time, than many 

 of its genus. In one spring, at different times, I met with more 

 than forty of them, generally flying, or sitting exposed. I also 

 once met with one of their nests, containing three young, in 

 the crotch of a white-oak, among thick foliage. The nest was 

 rudely put together, composed outwardly of sticks, intermixed 

 with some dry grass, and leaves, and lined with smaller twigs. 

 At another time, in passing through the woods, I perceived 

 something white, on the high shaded branch of a tree, close to 

 the trunk, that, as I thought, looked like a cat asleep. Unable 

 to satisfy myself, I was induced to fire, when, to my surprise 

 and regret, four young Owls, of this same species, nearly full 

 grown, came down headlong, and fluttering for a few moments, 

 died at my feet. Their nest was probably not far distant. I have 

 also seen the eggs of this species, which are nearly as large as 

 those of a young pullet, but much more globular, and perfectly 

 white. 



These birds sometimes seize on fowls, partridges, and young 

 rabbits; mice, and small game, are, however, their most usual 



* We add the folio wing synonymes: Stri-x nebulosa, .LATH. 7/irf. Orn. p. 58. 

 GMEL. Sjfs/. i, p. 291. TKMM. Man. d'Orn. i, p. 88. 

 VOL. I S S 



