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flies off to the nearest thicket, and resumes its slumbers. Towards 

 evening it becomes quite active, and pursues its prey in a spirited 

 manner. It is occasionally observed in cities. In the early part of 

 June of last year, a specimen was shot in St. Paul's church-yard, in 

 the city of New York. 



GENUS SYRNIUM — CUVIER. 



HOOTING OWL. 



[Conch of the ear very large ; disk of slender feathers complete ; feet and 

 toes feathered ; tail broad, rounded ; head without tufts.] 



SYRNIUM NEBULOSA— LINN. 



BARRED OWL. 



Barred Owl, Strix nebnlosa, Wils. Amer. Orn. 

 Strix nebulosa, Bonap. Svn. 

 Barred Owl, Strix nebulosa, Nutt. Man. 

 Barred Owl, Str.x nebulosa, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Upper parts, fore neck and breast with trans- 

 verse white bars ; abdomen and flanks dull white, tinged with yel- 

 low ; the feathers with broad longitudinal brown streaks, tail rather 

 long rounded. Adult with the upper parts light reddish brown, 

 barred with white, as are the tail, fore neck, and upper portion of 

 the breast, that color predominating on the latter two — rest of the 

 lower parts yellowish-white, broadly streaked with brown; tail 

 rounded. Length seventeen inches and a half, wing fourteen 



This species is found in all parts of the United States — in the 

 Southern States it is most common. Its food consists chiefly of mice 

 and small birds ; at times, domestic fowls, partridges, and young 

 rabbits, contribute to its support. 



Although frequently observed flying during the day, their sight 

 at such times is quite dim, as the following circumstance will 

 show : — My friend J. G. Bell informs me that when on a collecting 

 tour in South Carolina, and while intent on looking for the Blue- 

 winged Yellow Warbler, whose note he had a moment before 

 heard, he was startled by feeling a sudden pressure on his gun. 

 Judge of his surprise when he perceived perched on the barrels of 



