180 BIRDS or NORTH CAROLINA 



It is not exclusively nocturnal, and on cloudy days may often be found abroad. It 

 roosts on the ground. 



On account of the number of rats and mice which it destroys it is well worthy 

 of the fullest protection. 



w 



FIG. 139. SHORT-EARED OWL. 



Genus Strix (Linn.) 

 163. Strix varia varia (Barton). BARRED OWL; "HOOT OWL." 



Description. Olive brown, barred with whitish above; breast barred, belly streaked. L., 19.00; 

 W., 13.00; T., 8.50. 



Range. Eastern North America. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State at all seasons. 



The Barred Owl is a common resident throughout the State, and early in spring 

 before nesting begins, it may frequently be heard hooting even in the daytime. It 

 becomes quite noisy again later in the year when the young have left the nest. Its 

 favorite haunts are wooded lowlands. 



The eggs are laid in the hollows of trees, no nest being constructed. The nesting 

 season at Raleigh appears to be in March or early April. The eggs are usually 

 two in number, and, like all owl's eggs, are pure white. 



Like most species of hawks and owls, it feeds mainly on various kinds of rats 

 and mice, occasionally killing birds, and still less often robbing the farmer's poultry- 

 yard. However, as farmers generally keep their chickens under cover at night, the 

 hen roost is seldom disturbed by the Barred Owl. 



It is probable that the owls of this species found in summer in the southeastern part of the 

 State may, upon closer study, prove to be the southern variety known as the Florida Barred 

 Owl, Strix varia alleni (Ridgw.). 



