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THE OWLS. 



Ten representatives of the families Strigidae and Bubonidae. 

 are credited to the fauna of Pennsylvania. 



Owls, like the eagles, hawks and other diurnal birds of prey, 

 embrace numerous species of which, it is stated, about two 

 hundred occur in different parts of the world. 



The incalculable benefits conferred by this group of birds, 

 particularly the smaller species, to the husbandman, are gen- 

 erally overlooked. This is largely due, perhaps, t<;i the fact 

 that these birds prey extensively on mice and insects which 

 become most active at night time when the tiller of the soil is 

 resting fiom the arduous labors of his calling. 



Some are common residents in all parts of the State; others 

 breed in boreal regions and are found with us as irregular 

 or accidental winter visitants. The little screech owl, dressed 

 in his coat of red or gray, or a mixture of both, is one of the 

 most common and best known birds of this group. He is 

 found in cities and towns, as well aa in the rural districts. In 

 the hollow limbs of trees in old apple orchards he delights to 

 conceal himself in daytime, and also to rear his family. He 

 is often found about barns and other buildings where he goes 

 in the daytime to hide, or frequently at night to catch mice, 

 one of his main articles of livelihood. The Great Horned Owl 

 inhabits the woods, but on the approach of night he goes out 

 In quest of food. His visits to the poultry yard are so common 

 that he also is familiar to residents of the country, where he 

 is usually known from his loud cries as "Hoot Owl." The Barn 

 Owl, a southern bird, breeds sparingly and most frequently in 

 the southern parts of our State. The Snowy, which rears Its 

 family in the Arctic wilds, is found here only as an irregular 

 winter sojourner. Some persons not versed in ornithological 

 matters, name both the Snowy Owl and Barn Owl "White" 

 or "Snowy" Owls. Such local names used to designate the Barn 

 O^'l are confusing and should be discarded. 



MICE DEVOURING SPECIES. 



Owls, other than the Long-eared and Short-eared species, are 

 usually observed singly; those that breed here, of course, are 

 often during the breeeding period seen in pairs and with their 

 young. In v.'inter Long-eared and Short-eared owls are found 

 generally in flocks. T.,ong-eared owls bi'eed in many localities: 

 In fact quite generally throughout the State, and owing to the 

 circumstances that sometimes they roost in the daytime, in 

 cedar treea, they are termed by many "Cedar" Owls. The 

 Short-eared owls frequent meadows, swamps and grassy fields, 

 Hunters who most frequently come across these birds in the 

 fall and winter time know them as "marsh" or "swamp" owls. 

 The Short-eared Owl is common in winter and is said to breed 

 here in rare instances. Both the Long and Short-eared owls 

 should be protected by the farmer and fruit grower, as theso 

 birds live almost exclusively on mice. 



