Birds of Canada. II 



S Jib-Family SYRNIN^E. The Gray Owls. 

 Syrnium nebulosum. The Barred Owl. 



This is one of our most common owls. Length, 

 twenty inches. Color, light ashy-brown. Feeds 

 upon small birds, mice, and reptiles. Nests, in 

 high trees ; eggs, three in number, white. Re- 

 mains in Canada throughout the year. 



Syrnium cinereum. The Cinereous Owl. 



This is the largest member of the owl family. 

 Length, thirty inches. Color, ashy-brown, mot- 

 tled with ashy-white. Head, large ; eyes small. 

 Feeds upon rabbits, squirrels, and other small 

 animals. It is a rare visitor to this part of 

 Canada. This owl breeds in the far north. 



Nyctale RicJiardsonii. The Sparrow Owl. 



This pretty little owl is a regular winter visitor. 

 It is eleven inches in length ; the color, above, 

 white ; legs and bill, light yellow. Breeds in 

 the north-west. Nests, in a tree ; eggs, four in 

 number, pure white. Its food consists of mice 

 and small birds. Seeks its prey by night. 



Nyctale acadica. The Saw-whet Owl. 



This species is a permanent resident of Canada. 

 It is the smallest of the family, being only eight 

 and a-half inches in length. Color, above, red- 



