BARRED OWL. 111 
tions of Dr. A. P. Chadbourne apparently show that the 
Sereech Owl may pass from one phase to another without 
change of plumage.* 
We do not think of Owls as being insectivorous birds, 
but Dr. A. K. Fisher tells us that of 225 Screech Owls’ 
stomachs examined, 100 contained insects. As 91 of the 
remaining 125 contained mice, and poultry was found 
in only one stomach, the farmer may well consider the 
Screech Owl a bird of good repute rather than of ill . 
omen. 
Next to the Screech Owl the Barred Owl is doubtless 
our most common representative of this family, but its 
Barred Owi, fondness for deep woods prevents its 
Syrnium nebulooum. being known to many who recognize the 
Plate XX. Screech Owl’s mournful song. 
In both voice and appearance the Barred Owl seems 
the most human of our Owls. Its call.is a deep-voiced 
questioning whdd-whdd-whid, whd-whid, t6-whdd-ah, 
which may be heard at a distance of half a mile. It 
echoes through the woods at night with startling force, 
and the stories told of its effect on persons who were 
ignorant of its source are doubtless not without foun- 
dation. 
Other calls are a long-drawn whd-d-d-d-ah, and rarely 
a thrilling, weird shriek. When two or more Owls are 
together, they sometimes join in a most singular concerted 
performance. One utters about ten rapid hoots, while 
the other, in a slightly higher tone, hoots about half as 
_ fast, both birds ending together with a whdd-ah. At 
other times they may Aoot and laugh in a most remark- 
able and quite indescribable manner. 
The Barred Owl feeds largely on mice, and 46 of 100 
stomachs examined contained remains of these rodents. 
* The Auk (New York city), xiii, 1896, p. 321; xiv, 1897, p. 38. 
