280 OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION. 



SUBORDER STRIGES. OWLS. 

 FAMILY STRIGID/E. BARN OWLS. 

 GENUS STRIX LINNAEUS. 



65. Strix pratincola (BONAP.). 

 American Barn Owl. 



Rare ; observed only in winter. A specimen in the collection of the writer was 

 shot by a farmer near Wooster, February 2, 1892. Another specimen now in the 

 possession of Mr. George Faber, and obtained during the same winter, about two 

 miles from where the other bird was killed, is much paler, the ground color of the 

 plumage being almost white. These two are the only individuals known to have been 

 taken in the County. 



Although there are more or less numerous instances of the occurrence of this 

 species in Michigan, Indiana, northern Pennsylvania, southern Ontario and southern 

 Ohio, the only other published records for the last named State north of Columbus 

 seem to be as follows : (i) Prof. A. J. Cook, 1 on the authority of Mr. E. L. Moseley, 

 speaks of the Barn Owl as "common at Sandusky;" (2) Mr. A. Hall 2 mentions one 

 taken at East Rockport near Cleveland; and (3) Mr. Carl Tuttle 3 records the capture 

 of a single specimen in Erie County. 



FAMILY BUBONID>E. HORNED OWLS, ETC. 

 GENUS ASIO BRISSON. 



66. Asio wilsonianus (LESS.). 

 American Long-eared Owl. 



A rare summer resident ; tolerably common in fall and winter, though not gener- 

 ally so numerous as the next species. The only record of summer capture is a single 

 specimen taken near Orrville in 1887, by Mr. Ellsworth N. Freeman, under circum- 

 stances which would suggest its having nested in the vicinity. 



67. Asio accipitrinus (PALL.). 

 Short-eared Owl ; Meadow Owl. 



A common winter visitor; occurring singly, in pairs, or in small flocks. While it 

 is perhaps a rare summer resident, the writer has no record of its presence during 

 that season. The extensive meadows and swamps on the lowlands form its favorite 

 hunting grounds, though it is found also on the uplands. On account of its low soar- 

 ing flight when flushed by day it is an easy mark for hunters and the gun of the small 

 boy, many being thus killed every winter. Stomachs of specimens examined con- 

 tained only meadow mice (Microtus pennsylvanicus). 



1 Birds of Michigan, Edition I 1893, p 67. 

 * Forest and Stream XXVI, 1886, p. 446. 

 3 Auk XII, 1895, p. 191. 



