FOOD or WEST VIKGINIA BIRDS 35 



heard some of the startling calls of this weird bird of the night. Oc- 

 casionally I have heard its short, sharp hoot in the day time. Like the 

 other Owls the Barred feeds largely upon small mammals and insects. 

 In the region of the Cranberry Glades, Pocahontas County, I, with the 

 help of others, have carried on very interesting ecological studies. 

 Since this glady region abounds in cranberries and other small fruits 

 that grow on or near the ground many mice and other small mammals 

 are there in large numbers. These small mammals attract the Owls, and 

 they are most noticeably abundant throughout all that section. Many a 

 time have I heard the cries of Owls during the night as I have slept out 

 around the edge of these glades. Wherever mice and other small mam- 

 mals abound the Owls are present in large numbers. Owls, contrary to 

 public opinion, should be carefully protected, with the possible exception 

 of the Great Horned Owl. The others are rather useful than harmful, 

 some of them being most beneficial. 



