BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



151 



on it instantly, folding his wings and protruding his feet, in which his 

 quarry is always secured ; he often captures frogs that are sitting on 

 the shores of ponds and rivers ; but I am inclined to think that the 

 statement, quoted by Audubon, that he often catches fish, is incor- 

 rect. " Samuels. * 



The Florida Barred Owl a local race, technically called Syrnium 

 nebulosum alleni is exceedingly 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 thoroughly trustworthy, that this owl fre- 

 quently preys on fish, which it secures, while sitting close to the water's 

 edge, by a dextrous movement of the foot. The stomach contents of 

 five of these Florida Owls, which I examined, consisted only of the 

 remains of small birds and coleopterous insects. 



Referring to this species, Nuttall says: Their food is principally 

 rabbitts, squirrels, grouse, quails, rats, mice and frogs. From necessity, 

 as well as choice, they not unfrequently appear around the farmhouse 

 and garden, in quest of poultry, particularly young chickens. At these 

 times they prowl abroad toward evening, and fly low and steadily about, 

 as if beating for their prey. 



The stomach contents of eight of these owls which I have examined 

 are recorded in the following table: 



GENUS ULULA OUVIEE. 



Ulula cinerea (GMEL.). 



Great Gray Owl. 



DESCRIPTION. 



A very large round-headed owl, without ear tufts ; although much larger, resem- 

 bles somewhat the Barred Owl, but can be easily distinguished from the latter. 



Length (female) 28; extent about 56; wing 17, tail 12 ; bill and eyes yellow ; claws 

 long and very sharp and dusky. Above dark-brown, feathers variously spotted, 

 mottled or barred with fine grayish-white markings ; lower parts similar but more 

 grayish, with longitudinal streaks on breast, and cross bars of white and dusky on 

 flanks ; face grayish-white with numerous narrow rings of dusky ; a patch of black 

 about eyes on either side of bill. 



Habitat,. Arctic America, straggling southward in winter, to the northern border 

 of the United States. 



' Our Northern and Eastern Birds, by E. A. Samuels, p. 74. 



