OWLS 311 



Washington, common W. V. Ossining, casual. Cambridge, T. V., Mch. 

 15-Apl. 15, rare; Oct. -Nov., uncommon. N. Ohio, uncommon P. R. Glen 

 Ellyn, rare, Dec. 11-May 15. SE. Minn., common S. R. 



Nest, on the ground, in grassy marshes. Eggs, white, 4-7, 1'60 x 1'25. 

 Date, St. Clair Flats, Mich., Apl. 20. 



This species might well be named Marsh Owl, for, unlike most of 

 our Owls, it does not frequent the woods, but lives in grassy marshes. 

 It is not shy and does not take wing until almost stepped upon, when 

 it arises noiselessly and flies low over the marsh. Sometimes it alights 

 on a knoll or slight elevation, and watches the intruder in the intent, 

 half-human manner of Owls. 



During the migrations and in the winter this bird is occasionally 

 found in flocks or colonies containing one or two hundred individuals. 



"Of 101 stomachs examined, 11 contained small birds; 77, mice; 

 7, other mammals; 7, insects; and 14 were empty" (Fisher). 



368. Strix varia varia Barton. BARRED OWL. (Fig. 48.) Ads. No 

 ear-tufts; upperparts grayish brown, each feather with two or three white 

 or buffy white bars ; tail with six to eight similar bars ; facial disk gray, finely 

 barred or mottled with fuscous; underparts white, more or less tinged with 

 buffy, the breast barred, the sides and belly broadly streaked with fuscous; 

 bill yellow; legs and feet feathered to or near the bases of the nails; eyes 

 brownish black. L., 20'00; W., 13'50; T., 9'50; B., 1'50. 



Range. E. N. Am. Breeds from s. Keewatin, s. Que., and N. F. s. to 

 e. Kans. and Ga., and w. to e. Wyo., and e. Colo. 



Washington, not common, rare P. R. Ossining, rare P. R. Cambridge, 

 P. R., sometimes common in Nov. and Dec. N. Ohio, common P. R. Glen 

 Ellyn, rare and local P. R. SE. Minn., common P. R. 



Nest, in a hollow tree; sometimes in an old Crow's or Hawk's nest. Eggs, 

 white, 2-4, 2'00 x 1'65. Date, New London, Conn., Mch. 22; Black Hawk 

 Co., Iowa, Mch. 1; se. Minn., Mch. 7. 



The deep-toned, questioning voice, the absence of "horns," and the 

 dark brown, nearly black eyes, combine to make Barred Owls appear 

 among the most human of these strangely human birds. They inhabit 

 large tracts of woodland, and are generally resident in certain localities. 

 Their notes are uttered more or less throughout the year, but are more 

 frequently heard during the nesting season. As a rule they call only 

 during the first part of the night and again before sunrise, but on 

 moonlight nights they call throughout the night, and occasionally 

 they may be heard during the day. They readily respond to an imi- 

 tation of their cries, and even at midday I have drawn them from 

 their nesting-place to meet a supposed intruder on their domain. Un- 

 der favorable circumstances they may be heard at a distance of at 

 least half a mile. 



Their usual call is a sonorous whoo-whod-whdo who-whbd, t6-wh66- 

 ah. This is varied, both as to relative position and length of the syl- 

 lables, by the same individuals, and is apparently the cry of ques- 

 tion and response. When two birds, perhaps rival males, come together, 

 there ensues a striking medley of wha-whas mingled with rolling whoo- 

 &hs, the whole reminding one of deep-voiced, mirthless laughter. Some- 

 times two birds give a concerted performance. One utters about ten 



