234 



Tyong-eared and Short-oai'od species, simply because 

 the popular idea is that owls, large and small, prey 

 only on ])oultry and game. 



MICE AND SMALL GAME. 



Wilson says, although mice and small game are the 

 most usual food of Barred Owls, they sometimes seize 

 on fowls, partridues and young rabbits. 



"The leaned Owl subsists principally upon small 

 birds, field mice and reptiles. He is frequently seen, 

 in early twlight, flying over low meadow lands, search- 

 ing fC'i- the mice that dwell there; he usually takes a 

 direct coui-se. and sometimes flies so low that the tips 

 of his wings seem to touch the grass. When he dis- 

 covers his prey he drops on it instantly, folding his 

 wings and protruding his feet, in which his quarry is 

 always secured; he often captures frogs that are sit- 

 ting on the shores o-f ])onds and rivers; but I am in- 

 clined to think that the statement, quoted by Audubon, 

 that he often catches fish, is incorrect."— Samuels. 



FEEDS ON FISHES. 



The Florida liarred Owl — a local race — is exceed- 

 ingly abundant about the almost impenetrable swamps 

 and heavily-timbered regions along the St. John's river. 

 In the winter of 1885, I was informed by two residents 

 of Florida, both gentlemen whom I consider thor-< 

 oughly trustworthy, that this owl frequently preys on 

 fish, which it secui'es, while sitring close to the water's 

 edge, by a dexti'ous movement of the foot. The stom- 

 ach contents of five of these Floi-ida Owls, which T ex 

 amined, consisted only of tlie remains of small birds 

 and coleoprernus insects. 



Keferriiiii lo tliis species, Niiltall says: TIkmi' food 

 is jti'in(i|inlly rabbits, si|iiiri ds. l;iiiiisi'. i|ii;iils. ra(s. 



